United States Coronavirus cases have been spiking significantly for some time — but Republicans kept their long weekend break in place anyway. On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) tweeted out a statement recapping his supposedly “urgent” priorities for the Senate, but — as they say — actions speak louder than words. In reality, McConnell adjourned the Senate for days rather than immediately starting work on Coronavirus relief legislation that the House passed days ago at this point, and Twitter users promptly pointed out his glaring hypocrisy.
Hey Mitch McConnell — you may want to pass the House bill. Like. Right. NOW https://t.co/dmpBNcW9Iq
— Neera Tanden (@neeratanden) March 16, 2020
Initially, he shared:
‘I know Senators are carefully reviewing the details and are eager to act swiftly to help American workers, families, and small businesses navigate this challenging time… This new disease is challenging our great nation in unfamiliar ways. But we have overcome far greater challenges before. Those of us in elected office — at all levels — must continue to put partisanship aside and focus on our common work to serve the common good.’
My statement on the urgent priorities before the Senate this week and beyond: pic.twitter.com/vUiiqrqEdZ
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 16, 2020
“Common work”? “Common good”? Is that why, not long ago at all, President Trump proclaimed that concern over the Coronavirus was Democrats’ “new hoax”? Is that why he’s repeatedly claimed that coverage of the negative aspects of the situation is just some kind of conspiracy to make him look bad?
Additionally, McConnell and his Republican colleagues have had ample opportunities to “act swiftly” to help American workers — the hypocrisy of McConnell’s claim that he’s ready and eager to use those opportunities is apparent via the fact that he shared the statement while on vacation. Prior to the Senate reconvening this Monday, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called on McConnell to pass the House’s new Coronavirus relief funding legislation via a unanimous consent voice vote — but the Senate is seemingly not going down that path either. Instead, POLITICO has reported, the Senate seemingly won’t be ready to vote on the legislation until days down the road, although right now, American workers are struggling through the economic upheaval that the bill addresses.
Given the President's emergency declaration, it is imperative that the Senate pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by unanimous consent immediately. More on my thoughts below. pic.twitter.com/YJrHr1yVnB
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) March 15, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response below…
