Many local residents have had a lot of free time on their hands with the stay-at-home order issued by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor’s edict may be an attempt to smother the virus but it also puts a lid on the economy to the point that even though gas is under $1.50 a gallon and there are no lines at the pumps because people really aren’t going anywhere or spending money. Most people that have been laid off are wondering where their next paycheck will come from.
Congress got together over the weekend to discuss that very issue. Realizing that time was of the essence, on Sunday night the Senate and White House proposed a bill that would help individuals and businesses, small and large, to get relief from the shutdown. Both sides reached across the aisle to comprise on the issues, but still had a few sticking points. The divide centered around how the money would be dispersed and what kind of oversight would be stipulated on the stimulus.
The Republicans wanted to send money to the businesses so they could just keep paying their employees. The Democrats wanted to fund it through the unemployment offices and extend the time period so individuals could get up to four months of benefits.
Both sides brought up different arguments. The Republicans thought the local unemployment offices would be overwhelmed with claims, so the money would be delayed, which made sense.
Democrats rightly brought up the 2008 bailout of the banks that President George Bush approved with concerns that the businesses could take the money, use it for their top executives, and still lay off workers.
As they both sat down to hammer out those issues knowing they still needed the House of Representatives to ratify the deal, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi appeared, made a stand and announced her office would be submitting its own bill and walked away. As the old adage goes, actions are louder than words and this moment in time showed us that the adage is still true today.
The sad part of the situation is that Pelosi wanted to step on the throat of the American people because she knew Congress needed her support. She overplayed her hand when she tried to fashion a bill with earmarks for national minimum wage, the Green New Deal and abortion language that had nothing do with the dire needs of her constituents and the rest of the country.
Pelosi’s efforts were likened to wanting to hang Christmas ornaments on her tree in March instead of December. Christmas decorations are not needed now, but will be later. That same thought applies to Pelosi’s wish list that can wait for discussion down the road.
Overall, it is sad to have to acknowledge what so many know is true, but Congress has not changed and those who question how President Donald Trump was elected can always reflect back on situations like this to realize Americans are fed up with the rhetoric and just want help from those they elected.