The GOP war on unemployment aid is bad for workers and disastrous for the economy

[Zorro]

Republicans on Capitol Hill never tire of portraying themselves as family-friendly populists determined to help American households get a leg up in this rough-and-tumble world.

The pandemic crisis is where the rubber meets the road on this claim. As the coronavirus has made a mockery of half-measures to stem its spread, so too has it exposed the party’s true character.

As we write, Senate Republicans have been unable to reach an internal accord — let alone an agreement with Democrats controlling the House — on extending and expanding coronavirus relief programs last enacted as the CARES Act at the end of March.

Plans to introduce a sample bill as an initial negotiating strategy Thursday fell apart. The current goal is Monday.

Of course, there’s no urgency.

Oh, wait — by Monday, emergency unemployment benefits will have expired for millions of American households. The nascent economic recovery seen in April and May appears to be evaporating.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-07-24/unemployment-aid-debate

[dhill926]

1. Not sure if Hiltzik gets the national exposure of say...

a Krugman, but he is a fantastic columnist. Must read in the Times...

[beachbumbob]

2. Does GOP think unemployment ranks have no republicans?

[yankee87]

3. Unemployed Here

The extra $600 is a life line for me and my family. I have been interviewing, putting out my resume for 3 months, working with headhunters, many companies are putting positions on hold. The only jobs available are gig or jobs that pay crap with zero benefits. Thankfully my children are older, but I am scared for myself and my wife.

[Skittles]

5. I cannot imagine the stress

having to job hunt during a pandemic....keep in mind the election is now 100 days away (yeah I know, still too long), it's really our only hope of getting America back

[usajumpedtheshark]

4. How very unChristian of them. hypocrites