Every day more mainstream news outlets are pressuring Democratic politicians to stop stalling on another COVID-19 relief bill. On a recent CNN segment with Jake Tapper, the host grilled House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on when they will pass an additional bill to provide financial relief to the millions of Americans who desperately need it. The Democrats have made it abundantly clear that this has turned political, as they attempt to block anything until after the election.
While Pelosi has not given any dates, she said an agreement on negotiations “could happen” this week but also accused Republicans of moving the goalpost. Just last week, Republicans continued to make offer after offer and talk with multiple leaders about lots of issues, including coronavirus testing, contract tracing strategy, unemployment benefits, and local government. It ended up being the Democrats who would not support a $500 billion deal, which then blocked another attempt of relief to American families. The Trump Administration, House Republicans, and even some of the House Democrats have tried to implore the House Speaker into making a deal.
“I get that you’re waiting for it on paper. But it just seems like, you’re winning. I mean, that’s what it seems like to me. I’m looking at all the things that the White House is moving forward to your position on. And it seems like you could take yes for an answer,” Tapper said.
Pelosi continued to blame the Republicans and steer the conversation away from details of the legislation, even though the White House tried to push a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus-relief bill which included many of the Democrats’ requests. Pelosi, however, has made it perfectly clear that it is either going to be her version of relief or nothing at all.
“To do anything, though, that does not crush the virus is really official malfeasance and to crush the virus we just have to follow the science: Testing, tracing, treatment, mask-wearing, ventilation, separation, and the rest,” Pelosi said.
“One of your own members, Congressman Max Rose, said this week that the Democratic Party needs to learn, to a certain extent, how to declare victory and go home. You’re getting a lot of messages from Democrats saying: ‘This is good enough. We need to say yes,’” Tapper argued.
It’s pretty simple that the Americans need relief now, but the Democratic Party is making this about issues instead of lives. That’s because Nancy Pelosi doesn’t have to worry about a stimulus check or if they’ll be able to pay their bills on time. It’s rich all of the things coming from Pelosi who already lives such a rich and sheltered life.
