Republicans Eye Sweeping Shield from Coronavirus Liability (AP)

[Mike 03]

Associated Press via Snopes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PUBLISHED 18 JULY 2020

A new plan from Senate Republicans to award businesses, schools, and universities sweeping exemptions from lawsuits arising from inadequate coronavirus safeguards is putting Republicans and Democrats at loggerheads.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new plan from Senate Republicans to award businesses, schools, and universities sweeping exemptions from lawsuits arising from inadequate coronavirus safeguards is putting Republicans and Democrats at loggerheads as Congress reconvenes next week to negotiate another relief package.

The liability proposal, drafted by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and senior Republican John Cornyn of Texas, promises to shield employers when customers and workers are exposed to coronavirus by moving lawsuits to federal court and limiting legal liability to acts of “gross negligence or intentional misconduct,” according to a draft of the plan obtained by The Associated Press.

Supporters say the plan protects businesses and other employers who adhere to public-health guidelines in good faith. Opponents argue it will permit wrongdoing to go unpunished. It’s up to Congress to resolve the debate, with the outcome likely to determine what legal recourse is available to Americans who contract the virus.

“Even if businesses and hospitals follow all the relevant guidelines and act in good faith, they could end up fighting a very long and a very expensive lawsuit,” Cornyn said. “They could end up winning that lawsuit, but they could also end up going bankrupt in the process.

Read more: https://www.snopes.com/ap/2020/07/18/republicans-eye-sweeping-shield-from-coronavirus-liability/

[stopbush]

1. Such bullshit. Such a law would be used to force workers into unhealthy

situations. Once sick, they can’t sue.

And of course, if your boss tells you to come back to work and you refuse, you lose your unemployment benefits. The Rs would love that as you’d no longer be counted among the unemployed.

[AleksS]

2. Sure. What could go wrong giving businesses

A blank check to operate unsafely? I’m suuuuuuuuure they’ll all do what’s best for their employees out of the goodness of their hearts. SARCASM!!!

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. So legislate irresponsibly, then cut off any avenue for people to hold them accountable.

Another CYA bill from the Republicans.

[Trailrider1951]

4. So the "party of personal responsibility" want to absolve themselves of

the consequences of their actions, which will maim and kill many more Americans. Good God Almighty, can they be any more hypocritical? It looks like the only choice we may have is to shut it all down again. Refuse to cooperate. Schools open in your state while the pandemic is raging? Don't send them. #Notmykids Restaurants and gyms open? I'm eating and exercising at home. They won't stay open without customers. #BoycottPandemic

[crickets]

5. I hate these people. I despise that they inspire such hate in me. Hate them more for it. nt

[uponit7771]

6. FUCK NO !! Pelosi holds ... ALL ... the cards now. If the kGOP do not pass another stimulus bill the

... economy collapses, Trump loses.

If they do Red Don will still allow people to die Trump loses by a little less.

Either way, Trump loses the other way Americans win

[NBachers]

7. Today's Special - Death and injury with no consequences!

[Jarqui]

8. The laws of today do more to protect the workers

Remember workers, if these businesses do not get back to work, they'll go bankrupt or out of business anyway.

Employers have a duty to keep workers safe. Now is important as ever to uphold the things in place to keep workers safe.

Again, if there's no relief package, the economy goes off a cliff and so do the reelection chances of Trump and the GOP Senators who enabled him.

Please don't blink! Do not let these folks get away with being irresponsible for your safety.

[beachbumbob]

9. the extortion by trump and mcconnel and democrats CAN NOT give into such

I would lose all faith in the leadership if they give ANY immunity to any business, any employer. Use it as wedge issue back on trump and GOP

[sop]

10. If there were some way the Republican party could immunize themselves from the electoral

consequences of their greed, incompetence and corruption, they would actually pass such a bill. Unfortunately, short of canceling the 2020 elections, McConnell can't shield his party from the voters' wrath come November.

So, immunizing their corporate benefactors from all financial liability resulting from the Republican party's gross malfeasance will be the next best thing. All that corporate campaign cash buys a lot of corrupting influence, and this proposed exemption from coronavirus litigation will be it.