Hoyer says Democrats aren't demanding '$600 or bust' in unemployment stimulus talks

[Polybius]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN)House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Tuesday that Democrats are willing to agree to a new coronavirus stimulus package that doesn't include an extension of an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits, saying the party's position is not "$600 or bust."

In four days, the extra benefits are set to expire for millions of Americans who have been receiving them amid the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats and Republicans are currently divided over how to continue supporting Americans economically affected by the crisis, with no clear path to a deal in sight.

"Look, it's not $600 or bust. ... (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi said the other day, which I thought was a great line: 'We don't have red lines, we have values.' We're going into these negotiations with values," Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, told CNN's John Berman on "New Day."

He continued: "To say that $600 or nothing, no, that's not where we are. We're prepared to discuss this. But we're also not prepared, however, to let down the American people, to let down the states, the cities, the local governments who hire people, who are meeting this pandemic's crisis, including health personnel."

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/28/politics/steny-hoyer-coronavirus-stimulus-package-cnntv/index.html

---

This is horrible news. Hopefully Pelosi disagrees...

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. On purpose

Republican party will try to starve Americans or force them into working and in getting the virus so I don’t see how the patriotic party, the Democrats, can force anything on to literal traitors in the Senate and White House.

[turbinetree]

2. Who is going to blink....................

[soothsayer]

3. Hopefully our values include not spending this money on Apache helicopters or surveillance planes

Or new fbi buildings that help trump’s hotel avoid competitors or....

[Polybius]

5. As long as we get the $600 in extensions, I'm ok with some of that

I get it that the Republicans control the Senate, so we have to negotiate a compromise of some sorts. I just don't think we should negotiate on the $600 much. Maybe go to $500 minimum.

[BigMin28]

4. Hoyer's was on MSNBC

last week talking about people not going back to work because they made more with UI and the 600 dollars a week rather than working. That's a lie, and he should know better. If your employer calls you back to work, and you refuse, you lose UI. Period. Katy Tur was doing the interview, and did not correct him.

[MichMan]

10. The employer may not report them or the employee could commit fraud

Self employed individuals are not going to turn themselves in.

[Johnny2X2X]

24. Covid-19

If your employer calls you back to work, but you claim you are high risk or live with someone who is high risk you can keep your UE benefits.

[Polybius]

29. Yes, I've heard of that as well

I've also heard that some bosses took their employees back "off the book" so they would come to work and still keep their benefits.

[Johnny2X2X]

30. Yes they did

I know a case. My wife’s niece. Working for her health care benefits while collecting UE.

[elleng]

6. It is NOT 'horrible news' that 'We're prepared to discuss this.

But we're also not prepared, however, to let down the American people, to let down the states, the cities, the local governments who hire people, who are meeting this pandemic's crisis, including health personnel."'

[Polybius]

7. Well, for me it depends

It's not horrible news if it goes down to $500 a month. I can live with that. But if it's not in there at all or if it goes down to $200, it's horrible news for those unemployed like myself.

[LakeArenal]

9. Lucky you. Because many can't lose .50 cents let alone $100 per week.

[Polybius]

12. I can't really either

But calculating my bills, I would barely have enough to get by on $500 plus my tiny bit of state unemployment. I'd have like $50 left over each week after gas and bills and other expenses. That $50 will go to emergencies, such as car problems and the like.

It sucks because I usually like to pay extra on my credit cards to get them lowered ASAP, but I'll have to pay the minimum.

[LakeArenal]

14. It does suck.

[Polybius]

8. Mitch is all over this

He just said this:

"Even the Democratic House majority leader said just this morning that our perspective, quote, 'has some validity to it and we ought to deal with that... it's not $600 or bust,'" he said. "So let's get past the partisan cheap-shots and have an adult conversation."

[LakeArenal]

11. Soon as Republicans act like adults.

[durablend]

13. Thanks Steny!

Kneecapped again, and you wonder why people say both parties are the same.

[Phoenix61]

21. Because going in $600 or bust would work out so well?

No, it would get turned around that Dems aren’t wiling to negotiate. Going in on our values allows them to repeat why the fixed amount was picked in the first place. Each state has its own calculations and trying to kick that data to the feds for every case would end up with no one getting anything for months. That $600 is keeping the economy going because every cent of it is getting spent.

[JT45242]

15. Not $600 or bust is not we will accept $100 -- We must appear flexible

I am not an economist but I did study political science and campaign managment.

If the House goes to $500 a week ($2,000 a month) and is able to secure
a) Help for states and cities
b) Extra money for education
c) Keeping companies responsible
d) Oversight
e) No money to Congress, Senate, Cabinet officials, etc or their companies

That is a good trade. Let's be honest -- I have seen economists who have said $2,000 a month would keep the economy rolling.

If we take a $600 or bust approach we will be playing into the hands of the Republicans who desperately need to make it look like they are not the problem so thatthey can hold on to the Senate and prevent Biden from doing good things.

If we want no more of McTurtle in charge of the Senate -- then we negotiate.

[durablend]

17. Our party isn't doing us favors

By agreeing with Republicans that the unemployed are "living large"

[JT45242]

19. I wouldn't say living large --

But the equivalent of $26,000 from the feds plus the small UI from the states (which averages $370 per week or $9600 per year) would make $35,000. This is the equivalent of a liviong wage in most parts of the country (obviously not NYC, Seattle, etc).

I am just saying that we need to be willing to give a little to get what we want. But not give too much.

[C_U_L8R]

16. But it's $600 or bust over here.

That unemployment relief is pretty darn vital in this household. Hoyer isn't doing any favors leaving me guessing. I hope there's a solid plan in the works.

[Tiger8]

20. Same here.What is not going to get paid.

I sell digital marketing products face to face, so my business is destroyed from COVID.

The $100/week less I would get will be taken from something. The $400/week less republicans want means existing bills will not get paid.Defaulting on credit cards and loans will throw the country into a depression.

[Tiger8]

18. $600 is WORKING. Why change it?

This would not even be a discussion, except for greedy $10/hr employers wailing they don’t have more “little people” to squeeze under their thumb. They’ve always had a tough tim finding people because $10/hr is shitty pay.

I heard Bernie say on the senate floor, “Oh no! Giving people a few hundred bucks extra for a few months in a terrible pandemic. What a tragedy!”

[Sherman A1]

22. They should start talking at $1200 per week

and negotiate down to the $600.

[Javaman]

23. well, we're fucked. nt

[Griefbird]

25. Once again,

Democrats negotiating against themselves in advance. Why can't we go in with our best case and wait for the Repubs to respond, rather than water down our position before negotiations even begin?

[Wuddles440]

27. WTF Hoyer!!!

Raising the white flag before the battle even begins??!! Unfortunately, this has become habitual with many of those in our "leadership" positions. Sorry, folks but I'm sick of this shit! Constantly being out maneuvered, intimidated, and duped by McTurtle and company is demoralizing and disheartening.

[jayfish]

28. Exactly! Our Opening Position Should...

have been $1000 and settling at $600.

[GeorgeGist]

26. Gibberish on the fly ...

it's disheartening.

[budkin]

31. Hoyer is the worst

A relic from another era that needs to retire.

[nwliberalkiwi]

32. Rolling Over

I'm sorry to say the Democrats will roll over. One thing, among many, we the people will not be able to seek legal recourse against companies. I will say that in the coming years the Republicans will use the increased debt to whittle away at entitlement programs.