With several Republican senators under quarantine for COVID-19, Democrats blocked the majority Sunday and stopped the vote to pass a $2 trillion stimulus package to steady the pandemic ship that’s rocking our economy.
The stimulus package failed on a 47-47 party-line vote.
Colorado’s U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet voted against the bill, which included much-needed aid for those who are now unemployed through no fault of their own (We’re looking at you, Gov. Polis).
U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner was unable to vote because he’s one of those five GOP senators who are under quarantine because they’ve been exposed to the virus, along with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Interestingly, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is the only senator who missed the vote who is not in quarantine. He will have to answer for that on the presidential campaign trail.
As the 165 million hardworking Americans in our labor force, their kids, and their parents suffer, partisan politics prevailed. Coloradans need relief now from #COVID19 – the health and security of all Americans are at risk and inaction is inexcusable.
— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) March 23, 2020
States are desperate for help and there’s a national shortage of supplies while the health and security of all Americans are at risk, Gardner said.
“Partisanship is wrong during this crisis and as elected leaders it’s time to lead and ensure the American people that we will get through this,” Gardner said.
Gardner is right, a national emergency is no time for Democrats to play chicken with a stimulus package.