shareblue--2020-04-22--Big business has already taken over $350 million from small business relief funds

Tens of thousands of small businesses were unable to access forgivable federal loans intended to help them make payroll amid the COVID-19 pandemic — but big companies with wealthy CEOs have so far received millions .
When Senate Republicans unveiled the CARES Act last month , they said its Paycheck Protection Program would provide `` rapid relief for small businesses and their employees . ''
But much of that money went to companies that would hardly qualify as small .
On Wednesday , Popular Information reported that it had identified 33 `` publicly-traded companies that pay their CEOs $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Paycheck Protection Program ] funds intended for struggling small businesses . ''
These include the parent company of Ruth 's Chris Steak House , which received $ 20 million from the program and pays its CEO $ 6.1 million .
The company laid off 'virtually all of its hourly restaurant staff ' last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Popular Information noted .
Artificial intelligence company Veritone , which compensated its CEO more than $ 18 million in 2018 , also received $ 6.5 million worth of forgivable loans last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have disclosed Paycheck Protection Program loans , the Associated Press reported Tuesday , totaling at least $ 365 million .
Some that money went to companies `` with market values well over $ 100 million . ''
Shake Shack received a $ 10 million loan from the fund .
After public outcry , the company said it would return the cash .
`` Our people would benefit from a $ 10 million PPP loan , but we 're fortunate to now have access to capital that others do not , '' the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance , we 're returning ours . ''
Big banks also made out well .
According to an NPR report on Wednesday , they received $ 10 billion in fees for the small business loans , in some cases up to 5 % of the amount .
While the CARES Act passed with bipartisan support , the bill was the brainchild of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his GOP caucus .
`` As our nation confronts this health crisis and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans have prepared a bold legislative proposal , '' McConnell announced on March 19 .
`` And we need to help protect American workers , families , and small businesses from this unique economic crisis that threatens to worsen with every day . ''
`` We need to have the American people 's backs , '' he added .
`` This legislation is a significant next step . ''
The funds in the initial appropriation ran out after just two weeks .
On Tuesday , the Senate approved a bipartisan bill to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Program .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Tens of thousands of small businesses were unable to access forgivable federal loans intended to help them make payroll amid the COVID-19 pandemic — but big companies with wealthy CEOs have so far received millions.
When Senate Republicans unveiled the CARES Act last month, they said its Paycheck Protection Program would provide “rapid relief for small businesses and their employees.” But much of that money went to companies that would hardly qualify as small.
On Wednesday, Popular Information reported that it had identified 33 “publicly-traded companies that pay their CEOs $1 million or more and have scooped up [Paycheck Protection Program] funds intended for struggling small businesses.”
These include the parent company of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which received $20 million from the program and pays its CEO $6.1 million.
The company laid off ‘virtually all of its hourly restaurant staff’ last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Popular Information noted.
Artificial intelligence company Veritone, which compensated its CEO more than $18 million in 2018, also received $6.5 million worth of forgivable loans last week.
Potbelly, a sandwich shop chain, received $10 million.
At least 94 publicly traded companies have disclosed Paycheck Protection Program loans, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, totaling at least $365 million. Some that money went to companies “with market values well over $100 million.”
Shake Shack received a $10 million loan from the fund. After public outcry, the company said it would return the cash.
“Our people would benefit from a $10 million PPP loan, but we’re fortunate to now have access to capital that others do not,” the company’s leadership wrote. “Until every restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance, we’re returning ours.”
Big banks also made out well. According to an NPR report on Wednesday, they received $10 billion in fees for the small business loans, in some cases up to 5% of the amount.
While the CARES Act passed with bipartisan support, the bill was the brainchild of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his GOP caucus.
“As our nation confronts this health crisis and the economic crisis it is spawning, Senate Republicans have prepared a bold legislative proposal,” McConnell announced on March 19. “And we need to help protect American workers, families, and small businesses from this unique economic crisis that threatens to worsen with every day.”
“We need to have the American people’s backs,” he added. “This legislation is a significant next step.”
The funds in the initial appropriation ran out after just two weeks. On Tuesday, the Senate approved a bipartisan bill to add another $310 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program.
A House vote is expected on Thursday.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-22--Trump asks Congress for billions more in relief after mocking it for doing the same

Donald Trump asked Congress to give him another $ 484 billion to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday .
`` I urge the Senate and House to pass the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act with additional funding for PPP , Hospitals , and Testing , '' he tweeted Tuesday after bipartisan agreement was reached in the Senate on a fourth coronavirus response bill .
On Tuesday , the request for $ 484 billion passed the Senate on a voice vote .
A House vote is expected on Thursday .
Combined with the three previously approved spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act , the $ 192 billion Families First Coronavirus Response Act , and the roughly $ 1.8 trillion CARES Act — the latest legislation would put the total appropriations for public health and economic stabilization at about $ 2.5 trillion .
And Trump said Tuesday even that wo n't be enough .
He promised to push for another spending bill soon to provide `` fiscal relief to State/Local Governments for lost revenues from COVID 19 , much needed Infrastructure Investments for Bridges , Tunnels , Broadband , Tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Payroll Tax Cuts to increase Economic Growth . ''
But less than two months ago , Trump ridiculed Democrats for suggesting solving the pandemic might cost more than $ 2.5 billion .
Back in February , Trump was still dismissing the coronavirus as `` very much under control . ''
On Feb. 24 , the administration asked Congress for that amount as a supplemental appropriation `` to accelerate vaccine development , support preparedness and response activities and to procure much needed equipment and supplies . ''
A source told Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved carefully `` not to sound alarm bells , '' but said the appropriation was `` better to have , certainly with finite funds . ''
Democrats noted that the amount the administration had requested was nowhere near enough to address the crisis .
Rep. Nita Lowey , the House Appropriations chair , called it `` woefully insufficient to protect Americans from the deadly coronavirus outbreak . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer panned it as `` indicative of [ Trump 's ] towering incompetence . ''
Trump responded by tweeting , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for publicity purposes only , that I should be asking for more money than $ 2.5 Billion to prepare for Coronavirus .
If I asked for more he would say it is too much . ''
During a Feb. 27 African American History Month reception , Trump complained about the criticism .
`` I got criticized because I said ' $ 2.5 billion .
That 's a lot of money . '
See , $ 2.5 billion is a lot of money .
And the Democrats said , 'How dare he only ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this never happened to me before , '' he said .
`` My people came , 'This is what we need : $ 2.5 billion . '
And I said , 'That 's a lot .
That 's a lot of money . '
`` So what happens is , Schumer says , 'He needs $ 8.5 [ billion ] . '
'' Trump continued .
`` I said , ' I 'll take it if you want to give it to me . '
I thought , you know , I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get a piece ...
So I they criticized me because they say ' $ 2.5 billion , he needs more . '
What they should do is say , 'Why does he need so much ? '
But they do n't say that because they have inverse thinking . ''
Congress approved a larger appropriation , which Trump signed in early March .
`` We 're signing the $ 8.3 billion .
I asked for $ 2.5 and I got $ 8.3 , and I 'll take it , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it 's an unforeseen problem . ''
To date , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 776,000 COVID-19 cases in the United States and at least 41,758 deaths .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump asked Congress to give him another $484 billion to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday.
“I urge the Senate and House to pass the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act with additional funding for PPP, Hospitals, and Testing,” he tweeted Tuesday after bipartisan agreement was reached in the Senate on a fourth coronavirus response bill.
On Tuesday, the request for $484 billion passed the Senate on a voice vote. A House vote is expected on Thursday.
Combined with the three previously approved spending bills — the $8.3 billion Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, the $192 billion Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and the roughly $1.8 trillion CARES Act — the latest legislation would put the total appropriations for public health and economic stabilization at about $2.5 trillion.
And Trump said Tuesday even that won’t be enough. He promised to push for another spending bill soon to provide “fiscal relief to State/Local Governments for lost revenues from COVID 19, much needed Infrastructure Investments for Bridges, Tunnels, Broadband, Tax Incentives for Restaurants, Entertainment, Sports, and Payroll Tax Cuts to increase Economic Growth.”
But less than two months ago, Trump ridiculed Democrats for suggesting solving the pandemic might cost more than $2.5 billion.
Back in February, Trump was still dismissing the coronavirus as “very much under control.” On Feb. 24, the administration asked Congress for that amount as a supplemental appropriation “to accelerate vaccine development, support preparedness and response activities and to procure much needed equipment and supplies.”
A source told Fox News at the time that the administration had moved carefully “not to sound alarm bells,” but said the appropriation was “better to have, certainly with finite funds.”
Democrats noted that the amount the administration had requested was nowhere near enough to address the crisis. Rep. Nita Lowey, the House Appropriations chair, called it “woefully insufficient to protect Americans from the deadly coronavirus outbreak.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer panned it as “indicative of [Trump’s] towering incompetence.”
Trump responded by tweeting, “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer is complaining, for publicity purposes only, that I should be asking for more money than $2.5 Billion to prepare for Coronavirus. If I asked for more he would say it is too much.”
During a Feb. 27 African American History Month reception, Trump complained about the criticism.
“I got criticized because I said ‘$2.5 billion. That’s a lot of money.’ See, $2.5 billion is a lot of money. And the Democrats said, ‘How dare he only ask for $2.5 billion?’ But this never happened to me before,” he said. “My people came, ‘This is what we need: $2.5 billion.’ And I said, ‘That’s a lot. That’s a lot of money.’
“So what happens is, Schumer says, ‘He needs $8.5 [billion].'” Trump continued. “I said, ‘I’ll take it if you want to give it to me.’ I thought, you know, I’ll ask for a lot, and if I get a piece … So I they criticized me because they say ‘$2.5 billion, he needs more.’ What they should do is say, ‘Why does he need so much?’ But they don’t say that because they have inverse thinking.”
Congress approved a larger appropriation, which Trump signed in early March. “We’re signing the $8.3 billion. I asked for $2.5 and I got $8.3, and I’ll take it,” he said. “We’re doing well, but it’s an unforeseen problem.”
To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 776,000 COVID-19 cases in the United States and at least 41,758 deaths.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-22--Trump claims his trees are 'all specimens' during Earth Day event

Trump expressed concern at a White House ceremony that people would consider his 'specimens ' an 'exaggeration ' or ' @ @ @ @ @ From an April 22 Earth Day event at the White House : People may think @ @ @ @ @ that 's a Trump term .
Actually , they 're sold as specimens .
They @ @ @ @ @ they are better .
I buy a lot of 'em .

From an April 22 Earth Day event at the White House:
DONALD TRUMP: We’re planting 10 beautiful specimen trees. They’re specimens. All specimens. People may think that’s an exaggeration or that’s a Trump term. Actually, they’re sold as specimens. They cost more money, but they are better. I buy a lot of ’em.
Garden design website Gardenista says specimen trees are “Generally, any tree planted singularly as a focus of attention.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-22--Milwaukee to help residents vote by mail after in-person primary leads to virus cases

Every one of the roughly 300,000 registered voters in Milwaukee will receive an absentee ballot application in the mail , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported , helping to ensure voters will be able to cast a ballot in November 's general election without having to risk their health during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The move comes after Republicans in Wisconsin blocked Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers from delaying the state 's April 7 primary , forcing voters to violate a stay-at-home order and risk their health to cast in-person votes if they had not previously requested an absentee ballot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state 's in-person voting sites were shuttered , meaning voters had to wait in hourslong lines to vote .
On top of that , Milwaukee 's health commissioner has already tied at least seven cases of the novel coronavirus to the April 7 primary election so far .
In order to prevent such a situation from happening again in the fall — when experts say there could be another resurgence of the coronavirus — the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously passed the `` SafeVote '' program .
The program ensures each registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot application , but they 'll also get a pre-stamped envelope to return that absentee ballot request , according to the text of the resolution .
`` The spectacle of thousands of citizens gathering to vote in the Spring 2020 General Election , while in a way inspiring , was an unacceptable danger to their own well-being and that of others and must not be repeated , '' the text of the resolution creating program reads .
The resolution goes on to say , `` voting by mail must be seen as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participation in a vital election . ''
Both Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett approve of the SafeVote program , according to the Journal Sentinel , with Barrett seeking federal coronavirus aid funding to pay for the initiative .
Democrats have been pushing for states across the country to adopt vote-by-mail for the November election , saying that states can not risk having to delay voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Republicans , including Donald Trump , are resisting the effort , falsely claiming that absentee voting leads to fraud .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote-by-mail in an interview with Fox News in late May , saying making it easier to vote absentee would help Democrats .

Every one of the roughly 300,000 registered voters in Milwaukee will receive an absentee ballot application in the mail, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, helping to ensure voters will be able to cast a ballot in November’s general election without having to risk their health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move comes after Republicans in Wisconsin blocked Democratic Gov. Tony Evers from delaying the state’s April 7 primary, forcing voters to violate a stay-at-home order and risk their health to cast in-person votes if they had not previously requested an absentee ballot.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the state’s in-person voting sites were shuttered, meaning voters had to wait in hourslong lines to vote.
On top of that, Milwaukee’s health commissioner has already tied at least seven cases of the novel coronavirus to the April 7 primary election so far.
In order to prevent such a situation from happening again in the fall — when experts say there could be another resurgence of the coronavirus — the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously passed the “SafeVote” program.
The program ensures each registered voter will not only receive an absentee ballot application, but they’ll also get a pre-stamped envelope to return that absentee ballot request, according to the text of the resolution.
“The spectacle of thousands of citizens gathering to vote in the Spring 2020 General Election, while in a way inspiring, was an unacceptable danger to their own well-being and that of others and must not be repeated,” the text of the resolution creating program reads.
The resolution goes on to say, “voting by mail must be seen as the best way to ensure the best possible participation in a vital election.”
Both Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett approve of the SafeVote program, according to the Journal Sentinel, with Barrett seeking federal coronavirus aid funding to pay for the initiative.
Democrats have been pushing for states across the country to adopt vote-by-mail for the November election, saying that states cannot risk having to delay voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Republicans, including Donald Trump, are resisting the effort, falsely claiming that absentee voting leads to fraud.
Trump gave more insight into why he opposes vote-by-mail in an interview with Fox News in late May, saying making it easier to vote absentee would help Democrats.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-23--Auto workers head back to factories to meet demand for medical gear

Cindy Parkhurst could have stayed home collecting most of her pay while the Ford plant where she normally works remains closed due to coronavirus fears .
Instead , she , along with hundreds of workers at Ford , General Motors , Toyota , and other companies , has gone back to work to make face shields , surgical masks , and ventilators in a wartime-like effort to stem shortages of protective gear and equipment .
`` I did n't give it a second thought , '' said Parkhurst , 55 , a tow motor driver who is now helping Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respirators .
`` It 's a neat thing to do for the community , for the first responders who definitely need this kind of protective gear . ''
All over the country , blue-collar and salaried workers have raised their hands to make medical equipment as companies repurpose factories to answer calls for help from beleaguered nurses , doctors , and paramedics who are treating patients with the highly contagious virus .
Workers also are making soap and hand sanitizer , which early in the crisis were in short supply .
At Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at four Detroit-area sites .
General Motors , which Donald Trump had alternately criticized and praised for its work , has about 400 at a now-closed transmission plant in suburban Detroit and an electronics factory in Kokomo , Indiana , working on shields and ventilators .
About 60 Toyota workers , both salaried and blue-collar , are making protective equipment in Kentucky , Texas , Michigan , and Alabama .
Most automakers in the U.S. temporarily stopped making vehicles about a month ago after workers complained about the risks of infection at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid to work remotely , but members of the United Auto Workers who do n't have that option are still collecting pay and unemployment benefits that equal about 95 % of regular take-home wages .
Those workers making medical gear will get their full base pay , but that 's not what 's motivating them to keep coming to the factories .
Many simply want to help .
Jody Barrowman has been making face masks at a repurposed former General Motors transmission factory near Detroit since early April .
`` Instead of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'd be productive here , '' she said .
She jumped at the chance to work because GM is donating the masks to hospitals and first responders , `` which is where it needs to go , '' she said .
Barrowman said that the operation has been so efficient that workers have been allowed to take masks home for family members .
`` I dropped some off at my grandparents ' .
My parents took a full packet of masks at my house .
So , it 's not just helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and my family feel safe , '' she said .
Inside a building in Toyota 's giant factory complex in Georgetown , Kentucky , mechanical engineer Kirk Barber helps to ship thousands of face shields that laid-off workers are making .
Sometimes he personally delivers boxes to hospitals or the state government , which is distributing them .
All of the workers , he said , had to undergo a cultural change to make sure they stay more than 6 feet apart to protect themselves from possible contagion .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're typically up and talking to someone , pointing to a document , '' Barber said .
`` People are very quick to point out , 'Hey , you guys need to keep your distance . '
'' Twenty-four UAW members have already died from COVID-19 but it 's unclear when or where they contracted the disease .
Ford , GM , and Toyota said they are n't aware of any infections among workers who returned to make medical gear .
Still , there 's no denying the risks are likely higher at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one 's home .
Joseph Holt , associate professor at Notre Dame 's business school , who specializes in ethics and leadership , said the workers and their companies are examples of business doing its best to quickly fill a critical unmet need .
`` Courage is doing what you think is right even when it might cost you , '' Holt said .
`` Those workers being willing to go in to work to produce the medical equipment and personal protective gear , even at personal risk — that is moral courage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are trying to restart production on their vehicles , perhaps as soon as early May , but both Ford and GM say medical gear production will continue .
Ford says it has enough workers to do both , while GM says it wo n't need all factory workers right away because it plans a gradual restart .
Back at the Ford complex in Flat Rock , Michigan , where Parkhurst works , she 's hoping the respirators she 's helping to ship make their way to the hospital in nearby Dearborn , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she died of a stroke 15 years ago .
She knows they must be `` going through hell '' now because the Detroit area one of the national hot spots for the virus .
`` When I compared that to taking maybe a small risk and going in and making respirators , I feel all right , '' she said .

Cindy Parkhurst could have stayed home collecting most of her pay while the Ford plant where she normally works remains closed due to coronavirus fears.
Instead, she, along with hundreds of workers at Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and other companies, has gone back to work to make face shields, surgical masks, and ventilators in a wartime-like effort to stem shortages of protective gear and equipment.
“I didn’t give it a second thought,” said Parkhurst, 55, a tow motor driver who is now helping Ford and its partner 3M manufacture and ship respirators. “It’s a neat thing to do for the community, for the first responders who definitely need this kind of protective gear.”
All over the country, blue-collar and salaried workers have raised their hands to make medical equipment as companies repurpose factories to answer calls for help from beleaguered nurses, doctors, and paramedics who are treating patients with the highly contagious virus. Workers also are making soap and hand sanitizer, which early in the crisis were in short supply.
At Ford, over 800 people returned to work at four Detroit-area sites. General Motors, which Donald Trump had alternately criticized and praised for its work, has about 400 at a now-closed transmission plant in suburban Detroit and an electronics factory in Kokomo, Indiana, working on shields and ventilators. About 60 Toyota workers, both salaried and blue-collar, are making protective equipment in Kentucky, Texas, Michigan, and Alabama.
Most automakers in the U.S. temporarily stopped making vehicles about a month ago after workers complained about the risks of infection at the factories. Many white-collar workers are being paid to work remotely, but members of the United Auto Workers who don’t have that option are still collecting pay and unemployment benefits that equal about 95% of regular take-home wages.
Those workers making medical gear will get their full base pay, but that’s not what’s motivating them to keep coming to the factories. Many simply want to help.
Jody Barrowman has been making face masks at a repurposed former General Motors transmission factory near Detroit since early April.
“Instead of being home and not helpful, I thought I’d be productive here,” she said.
She jumped at the chance to work because GM is donating the masks to hospitals and first responders, “which is where it needs to go,” she said.
Barrowman said that the operation has been so efficient that workers have been allowed to take masks home for family members.
“I dropped some off at my grandparents’. My parents took a full packet of masks at my house. So, it’s not just helping the first responders. It’s helping me and my family feel safe,” she said.
Inside a building in Toyota’s giant factory complex in Georgetown, Kentucky, mechanical engineer Kirk Barber helps to ship thousands of face shields that laid-off workers are making. Sometimes he personally delivers boxes to hospitals or the state government, which is distributing them.
All of the workers, he said, had to undergo a cultural change to make sure they stay more than 6 feet apart to protect themselves from possible contagion.
“It’s a hard habit to break when you’re typically up and talking to someone, pointing to a document,” Barber said. “People are very quick to point out, ‘Hey, you guys need to keep your distance.'”
Twenty-four UAW members have already died from COVID-19 but it’s unclear when or where they contracted the disease. Ford, GM, and Toyota said they aren’t aware of any infections among workers who returned to make medical gear. Still, there’s no denying the risks are likely higher at the factories than in the safety of one’s home.
Joseph Holt, associate professor at Notre Dame’s business school, who specializes in ethics and leadership, said the workers and their companies are examples of business doing its best to quickly fill a critical unmet need.
“Courage is doing what you think is right even when it might cost you,” Holt said. “Those workers being willing to go in to work to produce the medical equipment and personal protective gear, even at personal risk — that is moral courage in action.”
The Detroit automakers are trying to restart production on their vehicles, perhaps as soon as early May, but both Ford and GM say medical gear production will continue. Ford says it has enough workers to do both, while GM says it won’t need all factory workers right away because it plans a gradual restart.
Back at the Ford complex in Flat Rock, Michigan, where Parkhurst works, she’s hoping the respirators she’s helping to ship make their way to the hospital in nearby Dearborn, where nurses treated her mother with compassion before she died of a stroke 15 years ago. She knows they must be “going through hell” now because the Detroit area one of the national hot spots for the virus.
“When I compared that to taking maybe a small risk and going in and making respirators, I feel all right,” she said.


shareblue--2020-04-23--Transgender people were already in danger. Then coronavirus came.

The threat of COVID-19 is particularly dire for transgender Americans , who already face economic and social challenges due to discrimination .
Hundreds of thousands of transgender people are at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 , partly due to financial strain and concerns about transphobia in health care , according to a Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law study released on Wednesday .
That 's why LGBTQ advocacy groups have been demanding that Congress and state governments respond accordingly .
`` As in all emergencies , the most vulnerable are the most at risk during the COVID-19 crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David said this month .
David is asking for states to collect more data to measure the impact of COVID-19 on those most at risk so policymakers can respond with prevention and treatment strategies .
He also called on Congress to consider the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ people and black people in future stimulus packages .
His organization said the federal government is failing to address or even acknowledge how people of color are disproportionately affected by the pandemic .
`` Data is emerging showing Black communities are contracting and dying from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our own research shows the economic and health impacts this pandemic may have on LGBTQ people , '' David said .
This week , nearly 200 organizations , which included many national LGBTQ advocacy groups , sent a letter to Congressional leaders .
It requested that they include provisions that ensure LGBTQ people are not excluded from or otherwise discriminated against in programs and services funded by federal COVID-19 response legislation .
The Williams Institute estimated that a large number of transgender people have health conditions that could put them at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that people who are immunocompromised , which includes people who have poorly controlled HIV or AIDS , and people with underlying medical conditions , such as lung disease serious heart conditions , diabetes , and asthma , are at higher risk for severe illness .
According to the Williams Institute study , which uses data from the U.S. Transgender Population Health Survey , 208,500 transgender adults have asthma , 81,100 have diabetes , 74,800 are living with HIV , and 72,700 have heart disease — out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as transgender .

The threat of COVID-19 is particularly dire for transgender Americans, who already face economic and social challenges due to discrimination.
Hundreds of thousands of transgender people are at risk for serious illness from COVID-19, partly due to financial strain and concerns about transphobia in health care, according to a Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law study released on Wednesday.
That’s why LGBTQ advocacy groups have been demanding that Congress and state governments respond accordingly.
“As in all emergencies, the most vulnerable are the most at risk during the COVID-19 crisis,” Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David said this month.
David is asking for states to collect more data to measure the impact of COVID-19 on those most at risk so policymakers can respond with prevention and treatment strategies.
He also called on Congress to consider the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ people and black people in future stimulus packages. His organization said the federal government is failing to address or even acknowledge how people of color are disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
“Data is emerging showing Black communities are contracting and dying from the virus at particularly high rates, and our own research shows the economic and health impacts this pandemic may have on LGBTQ people,” David said.
This week, nearly 200 organizations, which included many national LGBTQ advocacy groups, sent a letter to Congressional leaders. It requested that they include provisions that ensure LGBTQ people are not excluded from or otherwise discriminated against in programs and services funded by federal COVID-19 response legislation.
The Williams Institute estimated that a large number of transgender people have health conditions that could put them at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that people who are immunocompromised, which includes people who have poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and people with underlying medical conditions, such as lung disease serious heart conditions, diabetes, and asthma, are at higher risk for severe illness.
According to the Williams Institute study, which uses data from the U.S. Transgender Population Health Survey, 208,500 transgender adults have asthma, 81,100 have diabetes, 74,800 are living with HIV, and 72,700 have heart disease — out of 1.4 million U.S. adults who identify as transgender.


shareblue--2020-04-23--McConnell sought funds for his state but doesn't think blue states deserve any

Last month , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asked the federal government for emergency funding to help his state of Kentucky combat the coronavirus .
`` As of March 24 , 2020 , Kentucky has confirmed 124 cases of COVID-19 and 4 fatalities , '' McConnell and the other members of Kentucky ’ s congressional delegation wrote to Donald Trump .
When the White House approved funding , McConnell thanked Trump for the federal government ’ s aid to Kentucky .
`` The additional federal resources this declaration makes available will help communities across Kentucky continue responding to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly answered our bipartisan call to deliver this vital assistance , '' he said in a statement .
But McConnell doesn ’ t think other states deserve the same assistance .
On Wednesday , McConnell said state and local governments should `` use the bankruptcy route '' rather than receive further federal funding .
In a radio interview with conservative host Hugh Hewitt , McConnell shot down the Democratic proposal for another legislative package that would include aid to states hit hardest by the coronavirus .
`` My guess is their first choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don ’ t have to do that , '' he said .
`` That ’ s not something I ’ m going to be in favor of . ''
The same day , his office put out a statement calling such aid `` blue state bailouts . ''
Kentucky , it turns out , is one of the most federally dependent states in the country .
It takes far more help from the federal government than any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in desperate need of aid .
The response to McConnell ’ s hyperpartisan dismissal of any further assistance was swift , even from his fellow Republicans .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan said he thinks McConnell `` regrets '' his statement — or he will in the future .
( McConnell has not indicated any such regret thus far . )
`` The last thing we need in the middle of an economic crisis is to have states all filing bankruptcy all across America and not able to provide services to people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rep. Peter King of New York — the state that ’ s been hit harder than any other thus far , with nearly 20,000 deaths from COVID-19 to date — issued a harsher response on Twitter .
`` McConnell 's dismissive remark that States devastated by Coronavirus should go bankrupt rather than get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible , '' said King .
`` To say that it is 'free money ' to provide funds for cops , firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , also slammed what he called McConnell ’ s `` vicious '' remarks .
`` I mean , if there ’ s ever a time for humanity and decency , now is the time , '' Cuomo said Thursday during his daily press briefing .
`` And if there was ever a time to stop your political — obsessive political bias and anger , which is what it ’ s morphed into — just a political anger — now is the time .
And you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
With all that ’ s going on ?
How irresponsible and how reckless . ''
But such criticism is likely to fall on deaf ears .
Last year , McConnell gave himself the nickname `` Grim Reaper , '' openly vowing to kill bills passed by the Democratic House , no matter how popular they are .
He ’ s blocked everything from gun control bills supported by more than 90 % of Americans to protection for victims of domestic violence to paycheck fairness to making prescriptions drugs cheaper .
Nearly 400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate because McConnell refuses to even hold a vote on them .
Earlier this month , after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlined a package that would include $ 10 billion for health centers and housing programs , McConnell made clear he wasn ’ t interested in any further legislation to help struggling Americans .
`` She needs to stand down on the notion that we 're going to go along with taking advantage of the crisis to do things that are unrelated to the crisis , '' McConnell said .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need as well — or at least the blue states McConnell doesn ’ t care about .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Last month, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asked the federal government for emergency funding to help his state of Kentucky combat the coronavirus.
“As of March 24, 2020, Kentucky has confirmed 124 cases of COVID-19 and 4 fatalities,” McConnell and the other members of Kentucky’s congressional delegation wrote to Donald Trump.
When the White House approved funding, McConnell thanked Trump for the federal government’s aid to Kentucky.
“The additional federal resources this declaration makes available will help communities across Kentucky continue responding to the coronavirus. I’m grateful President Trump quickly answered our bipartisan call to deliver this vital assistance,” he said in a statement.
But McConnell doesn’t think other states deserve the same assistance.
On Wednesday, McConnell said state and local governments should “use the bankruptcy route” rather than receive further federal funding.
In a radio interview with conservative host Hugh Hewitt, McConnell shot down the Democratic proposal for another legislative package that would include aid to states hit hardest by the coronavirus.
“My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don’t have to do that,” he said. “That’s not something I’m going to be in favor of.”
The same day, his office put out a statement calling such aid “blue state bailouts.”
Kentucky, it turns out, is one of the most federally dependent states in the country. It takes far more help from the federal government than any of the blue states hit hardest by coronavirus and in desperate need of aid.
The response to McConnell’s hyperpartisan dismissal of any further assistance was swift, even from his fellow Republicans.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he thinks McConnell “regrets” his statement — or he will in the future. (McConnell has not indicated any such regret thus far.)
“The last thing we need in the middle of an economic crisis is to have states all filing bankruptcy all across America and not able to provide services to people who desperately need them,” Hogan added.
Rep. Peter King of New York — the state that’s been hit harder than any other thus far, with nearly 20,000 deaths from COVID-19 to date — issued a harsher response on Twitter.
“McConnell’s dismissive remark that States devastated by Coronavirus should go bankrupt rather than get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible,” said King.
“To say that it is ‘free money’ to provide funds for cops, firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie Antoinette of the Senate.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, also slammed what he called McConnell’s “vicious” remarks.
“I mean, if there’s ever a time for humanity and decency, now is the time,” Cuomo said Thursday during his daily press briefing. “And if there was ever a time to stop your political — obsessive political bias and anger, which is what it’s morphed into — just a political anger — now is the time. And you want to politically divide this nation now? With all that’s going on? How irresponsible and how reckless.”
But such criticism is likely to fall on deaf ears.
Last year, McConnell gave himself the nickname “Grim Reaper,” openly vowing to kill bills passed by the Democratic House, no matter how popular they are.
He’s blocked everything from gun control bills supported by more than 90% of Americans to protection for victims of domestic violence to paycheck fairness to making prescriptions drugs cheaper.
Nearly 400 bills passed by the House have languished in the Senate because McConnell refuses to even hold a vote on them.
Earlier this month, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlined a package that would include $10 billion for health centers and housing programs, McConnell made clear he wasn’t interested in any further legislation to help struggling Americans.
“She needs to stand down on the notion that we’re going to go along with taking advantage of the crisis to do things that are unrelated to the crisis,” McConnell said.
Now it seems that applies to states in need as well — or at least the blue states McConnell doesn’t care about.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-23--House Republicans suddenly against investigations when Americans die

The House of Representatives voted 212 to 182 on Thursday to create a special panel to oversee the coronavirus pandemic and the federal government 's response .
But all 181 Republicans present and one conservative independent opposed the measure , with many dismissing the request for additional oversight as a scheme to hurt Donald Trump during an election year .
The new Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will be chaired by Majority Whip James Clyburn , under the auspices of the Oversight Committee .
It will have broad subpoena power and be tasked with overseeing taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any disparate impact on minorities , and the executive branch 's preparedness , response , and decision-making .
Rep. Jan Schakowsky ( D-IL ) told her colleagues during the floor debate that the committee was absolutely needed .
`` Look what 's happened already , '' she said , reading out recent news headlines .
`` $ 55 million dollar contract to a bankrupt company ( Panthera ) in order to make N95 masks .
Hedge fund managers claim bailouts as small businesses .
Over 43,000 U.S. millionaires will get 'stimulus ' awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Jim McGovern ( D-MA ) agreed : `` My constituents are puzzled why some of the money that was designed to go to small businesses ended up going to these mega-businesses like Shake Shack or Ruth 's Chris Steak House .
They want accountability .
$ 2 trillion .
I mean , is that too much to ask ? ''
Shake Shack received but then returned a $ 10 million small business loan under the CARES Act .
That roughly $ 2 trillion economic stabilization bill included billions for a Paycheck Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protecting their employees .
But Republicans slammed the creation of the bipartisan panel as unnecessary and political .
Rep. James Comer ( R-KY ) opposed it as `` a wasteful , redundant committee to smear President Trump during an election year . ''
Rep. Virginia Foxx ( R-NC ) called it a `` faux committee indeed '' to `` puts a vice grip on taxpayer dollars and prolongs attacks on '' Trump .
Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) attacked it as `` another political committee using taxpayer dollars to attack the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats tried to impeach just a few months ago . ''
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy slammed the selection of Clyburn , who he said `` has one of the best political minds , '' to lead the panel .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in her floor speech that Republicans were being hypocritical opposing this .
`` We have all these committees to do oversight , and I hope they will , but they have other work to do as well .
As the Republicans put forth select committees themselves — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she recalled .
`` This has an urgency for the American people .
We need a select committee whose focus , whose purpose is to address the challenge that the coronavirus places on [ us ] . ''
Foxx , Jordan , McCarthy , Scott , and every other House Republican present voted in 2014 for the Benghazi panel , even though several committees had already thoroughly investigated the matter , and for the 2015 investigation into Planned Parenthood .
McCarthy later admitted the Benghazi panel 's real aim was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though that investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing on her part .
The Planned Parenthood panel predictably recommended an end to federal funding for the health provider , but was ridiculed by Science magazine for its error-riddled report .
Four Americans died in the 2012 attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi .
More than 44,500 Americans have died from COVID-19 since Trump said `` We have it totally under control .
It 's one person coming in from China , and we have it under control .
It 's going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

The House of Representatives voted 212 to 182 on Thursday to create a special panel to oversee the coronavirus pandemic and the federal government’s response. But all 181 Republicans present and one conservative independent opposed the measure, with many dismissing the request for additional oversight as a scheme to hurt Donald Trump during an election year.
The new Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will be chaired by Majority Whip James Clyburn, under the auspices of the Oversight Committee. It will have broad subpoena power and be tasked with overseeing taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief programs, the pandemic’s economic impact, any disparate impact on minorities, and the executive branch’s preparedness, response, and decision-making.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) told her colleagues during the floor debate that the committee was absolutely needed.
“Look what’s happened already,” she said, reading out recent news headlines. “$55 million dollar contract to a bankrupt company (Panthera) in order to make N95 masks. Hedge fund managers claim bailouts as small businesses. Over 43,000 U.S. millionaires will get ‘stimulus’ awards of $1.6 million each.”
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) agreed: “My constituents are puzzled why some of the money that was designed to go to small businesses ended up going to these mega-businesses like Shake Shack or Ruth’s Chris Steak House. They want accountability. $2 trillion. I mean, is that too much to ask?” Shake Shack received but then returned a $10 million small business loan under the CARES Act. That roughly $2 trillion economic stabilization bill included billions for a Paycheck Protection Program aimed at shoring up small businesses and protecting their employees.
But Republicans slammed the creation of the bipartisan panel as unnecessary and political.
Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) called the vote a “partisan stunt” focused on investigating Donald Trump.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) opposed it as “a wasteful, redundant committee to smear President Trump during an election year.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) called it a “faux committee indeed” to “puts a vice grip on taxpayer dollars and prolongs attacks on” Trump.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) attacked it as “another political committee using taxpayer dollars to attack the person that 63MM Americans voted for & the Democrats tried to impeach just a few months ago.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy slammed the selection of Clyburn, who he said “has one of the best political minds,” to lead the panel.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in her floor speech that Republicans were being hypocritical opposing this.
“We have all these committees to do oversight, and I hope they will, but they have other work to do as well. As the Republicans put forth select committees themselves — Benghazi, trying to destroy Planned Parenthood,” she recalled. “This has an urgency for the American people. We need a select committee whose focus, whose purpose is to address the challenge that the coronavirus places on [us].”
Foxx, Jordan, McCarthy, Scott, and every other House Republican present voted in 2014 for the Benghazi panel, even though several committees had already thoroughly investigated the matter, and for the 2015 investigation into Planned Parenthood. McCarthy later admitted the Benghazi panel’s real aim was to hurt Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers, though that investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing on her part. The Planned Parenthood panel predictably recommended an end to federal funding for the health provider, but was ridiculed by Science magazine for its error-riddled report.
Four Americans died in the 2012 attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi. More than 44,500 Americans have died from COVID-19 since Trump said “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-23--Working single moms already struggle to make ends meet. Coronavirus makes it harder.

According to a 2019 Charles Schwab survey , 59 % of Americans were living paycheck to paycheck well before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic .
While working-class families everywhere have felt the financial impact of COVID-19 , single parents have been hit especially hard .
A report released by the U.S. Census Bureau found there are approximately 13.6 million single parents in the United States who are responsible for raising a collective 22.4 million children .
The Department of Agriculture most recently projected that parents will spend $ 233,610 to raise a child from birth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately $ 13,000 per year .
In single-parent homes with more than one child , that cost can be staggering .
Many single parents also continue to house their adult children .
An analysis by the Pew Research Center points out that 32.1 % of people aged 18 to 34 still live at home with their parents , though many of them contribute to the financial stability of the family .
Sheena , a disabled mother of two , says that while her 24-year-old son remains at home , he contributes from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a local mill — at least , he did until he was laid off due to the coronavirus .
While she will be able to pay her rent for the next two months , Sheena , like many struggling single parents , wonders what is to come .
The biggest economic issues facing working-class single parents both before and after the coronavirus seem to remain the same : child care , monthly bills , food security , and workplace sick leave and wages .
`` These struggles are n't new , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gwen Frisbie-Fulton , an anti-poverty advocate with Down Home North Carolina .
According to Frisbie-Fulton , the two biggest issues facing single parents during the coronavirus pandemic are child care and food .
But even before the virus hit , 15.9 % of households headed by single mothers with children at home experienced food insecurity , according to a 2018 study by the USDA .
`` Without school meals , extra food has to be budgeted for with kids at home , '' Frisbie-Fulton says .
Amy , a single mother of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worries about who will look after her youngest child and what it will cost if and when she is called back to her hourly wage office job .
`` When my kids were in school , I did n't worry about child care .
Now I 'll be making less money and adding an additional expense , '' Amy says .
Many single parents are turning to programs with lenders , utility companies , and others specifically set up to provide economic relief during the COVID-19 crisis .
Cyndi , a single mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments until June .
Yet she knows the fix is only temporary .
`` This is a Band-Aid measure .
My car is almost 10 years old , has 192,000 miles on it , and likely will not pass inspection again , '' she said .
The missed payments will be added to the back end of her loan , extending it .
And with an older car , Cyndi worries that it will stop running , making it impossible for her to get to work .
Carrie , a single mother of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a waitress , has applied for unemployment .
But with over 22 million claims filed in the last four weeks , the Labor Department is struggling to keep up .
While unemployment benefits are delayed waiting for income verification from her employer , Carrie has remained without a payment for five weeks .
`` It 's impossible to get anyone on the phone to try to help move things along , '' she said .
She is also working with her mortgage company to push back payments and add them to the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit rely on working with individual lenders and companies to ease the financial burden during the pandemic , they also look to the CARES Act .
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury , `` The CARES Act provides fast and direct economic assistance for American workers and families , '' though it may not go far for those single parents already feeling the weight of lost income and added expenses .
Many are still waiting for their stimulus payments .
Others wo n't receive payments for their children if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am responsible for feeding and housing three adults , two of whom are college students and will not receive stimulus benefits because they are over the age threshold , '' says Jennifer , a single mother to two college-age children who now live with her .
She wonders whether a monthly federal allowance for the remainder of the pandemic would better serve those experiencing financial hardship .
Frisbie-Fulton also has concerns about the CARES Act .
`` My fear is that it was sold as an aid package for the most vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rich will benefit the most , '' she said .
Another issue that makes it difficult for working-class single parents during the COVID-19 pandemic is their lack of a safety net .
`` Planning items such as setting up an emergency fund and taking full advantage of their employers ' retirement plan benefits are often overlooked due to the priority of providing for their children , '' explains Daniel Dougherty , a financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services .
Dougherty advises those whose monthly income has been reduced amid the pandemic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs to suspend or reduce your monthly payments in order to reduce your monthly expenses .
Dougherty also stresses the importance of understanding how the programs work before signing on , because many will have lasting financial implications , like higher interest rates that could damage future credit .
Frisbie-Fulton agrees working-class single parents do n't have anything to fall back on .
She 's seen many parents reach out to Down Home for help since the COVID-19 crisis `` to cover bills , to cover childcare , and to buy cleaning supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic because they could n't .
Buying extra groceries seems impossible when trying to survive from month to month .
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a glaring light on these economic hardships , and perhaps that 's a good thing .
`` The silver lining is that people are demanding the things that we have always needed to keep our communities : access to health care , worker protections , living wages , help with housing , and more , '' Gwen said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

According to a 2019 Charles Schwab survey, 59% of Americans were living paycheck to paycheck well before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
While working-class families everywhere have felt the financial impact of COVID-19, single parents have been hit especially hard.
A report released by the U.S. Census Bureau found there are approximately 13.6 million single parents in the United States who are responsible for raising a collective 22.4 million children.
The Department of Agriculture most recently projected that parents will spend $233,610 to raise a child from birth to age 17, which comes out to approximately $13,000 per year. In single-parent homes with more than one child, that cost can be staggering.
Many single parents also continue to house their adult children. An analysis by the Pew Research Center points out that 32.1% of people aged 18 to 34 still live at home with their parents, though many of them contribute to the financial stability of the family.
Sheena, a disabled mother of two, says that while her 24-year-old son remains at home, he contributes from the $8.50 he earns per hour working at a local mill — at least, he did until he was laid off due to the coronavirus. While she will be able to pay her rent for the next two months, Sheena, like many struggling single parents, wonders what is to come.
The biggest economic issues facing working-class single parents both before and after the coronavirus seem to remain the same: child care, monthly bills, food security, and workplace sick leave and wages.
“These struggles aren’t new, but COVID-19 will amplify them,” explains Gwen Frisbie-Fulton, an anti-poverty advocate with Down Home North Carolina.
According to Frisbie-Fulton, the two biggest issues facing single parents during the coronavirus pandemic are child care and food. But even before the virus hit, 15.9% of households headed by single mothers with children at home experienced food insecurity, according to a 2018 study by the USDA.
“Without school meals, extra food has to be budgeted for with kids at home,” Frisbie-Fulton says.
Amy, a single mother of two who is currently working from home, worries about who will look after her youngest child and what it will cost if and when she is called back to her hourly wage office job.
“When my kids were in school, I didn’t worry about child care. Now I’ll be making less money and adding an additional expense,” Amy says.
Many single parents are turning to programs with lenders, utility companies, and others specifically set up to provide economic relief during the COVID-19 crisis.
Cyndi, a single mother of two, has deferred her car payments until June. Yet she knows the fix is only temporary.
“This is a Band-Aid measure. My car is almost 10 years old, has 192,000 miles on it, and likely will not pass inspection again,” she said.
The missed payments will be added to the back end of her loan, extending it. And with an older car, Cyndi worries that it will stop running, making it impossible for her to get to work.
Carrie, a single mother of two who recently lost her job as a waitress, has applied for unemployment. But with over 22 million claims filed in the last four weeks, the Labor Department is struggling to keep up.
While unemployment benefits are delayed waiting for income verification from her employer, Carrie has remained without a payment for five weeks. “It’s impossible to get anyone on the phone to try to help move things along,” she said. She is also working with her mortgage company to push back payments and add them to the end of her loan.
While those hardest hit rely on working with individual lenders and companies to ease the financial burden during the pandemic, they also look to the CARES Act. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, “The CARES Act provides fast and direct economic assistance for American workers and families,” though it may not go far for those single parents already feeling the weight of lost income and added expenses. Many are still waiting for their stimulus payments. Others won’t receive payments for their children if they are over the age of 16.
“I am responsible for feeding and housing three adults, two of whom are college students and will not receive stimulus benefits because they are over the age threshold,” says Jennifer, a single mother to two college-age children who now live with her. She wonders whether a monthly federal allowance for the remainder of the pandemic would better serve those experiencing financial hardship.
Frisbie-Fulton also has concerns about the CARES Act. “My fear is that it was sold as an aid package for the most vulnerable, but banks, corporations, and the rich will benefit the most,” she said.
Another issue that makes it difficult for working-class single parents during the COVID-19 pandemic is their lack of a safety net.
“Planning items such as setting up an emergency fund and taking full advantage of their employers’ retirement plan benefits are often overlooked due to the priority of providing for their children,” explains Daniel Dougherty, a financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services.
Dougherty advises those whose monthly income has been reduced amid the pandemic to contact creditors to see if there are programs to suspend or reduce your monthly payments in order to reduce your monthly expenses. Dougherty also stresses the importance of understanding how the programs work before signing on, because many will have lasting financial implications, like higher interest rates that could damage future credit.
Frisbie-Fulton agrees working-class single parents don’t have anything to fall back on. She’s seen many parents reach out to Down Home for help since the COVID-19 crisis “to cover bills, to cover childcare, and to buy cleaning supplies.” They never prepared for a pandemic because they couldn’t. Buying extra groceries seems impossible when trying to survive from month to month.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a glaring light on these economic hardships, and perhaps that’s a good thing.
“The silver lining is that people are demanding the things that we have always needed to keep our communities: access to health care, worker protections, living wages, help with housing, and more,” Gwen said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-23--GOP congressman: People against reopening 'don't understand rules of economics'

Rep. Andy Biggs ( R-AZ ) is very focused on reopening the economy no matter what .
On Monday , in an interview with a local TV station , Biggs suggested people should n't listen to doctors advising the country to remain shut down and said doctors should instead `` help revitalize the economy . ''
In an interview on Thursday with conservative radio host Todd Starnes , Biggs said people concerned about reopenings do n't understand the underlying economic questions .
TODD STARNES , host : And of course we 've seen the governor of Georgia , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainstream media has targeted here , Brian Kemp , a Republican , one of the three southern states — South Carolina , Tennessee — deciding they 're going to reopen for business .
And it 's — they 're almost accusing the governor of putting people in harm 's way by reopening things .
And my question here , congressman , I mean , when exactly do these people want the country to reopen ?
REP. ANDY BIGGS ( R-AZ ) : Well , they do n't want it to reopen , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people say they want it stay closed ( sic ) to 2022 , for Pete 's sakes .
They do n't — they fundamentally do n't understand rules of economics , so if you stay closed , the longer you stay closed , the more likely that we go into full-on depression , the more people who are unemployed , more people lose their life savings when their small businesses collapse , more people lose the value of their IRAs , their pension funds .
It does n't matter whether you 're in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — they invest in the market , believe me , and they have pensions and so if you work for a company that has a pension fund , it 's probably down in value .
They do n't appreciate that .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is very focused on reopening the economy no matter what.
On Monday, in an interview with a local TV station, Biggs suggested people shouldn’t listen to doctors advising the country to remain shut down and said doctors should instead “help revitalize the economy.”
In an interview on Thursday with conservative radio host Todd Starnes, Biggs said people concerned about reopenings don’t understand the underlying economic questions.
TODD STARNES, host: And of course we’ve seen the governor of Georgia, and he seems to be the one that the mainstream media has targeted here, Brian Kemp, a Republican, one of the three southern states — South Carolina, Tennessee — deciding they’re going to reopen for business. And it’s — they’re almost accusing the governor of putting people in harm’s way by reopening things. And my question here, congressman, I mean, when exactly do these people want the country to reopen? REP. ANDY BIGGS (R-AZ): Well, they don’t want it to reopen, I mean, because — I’ve heard people say they want it stay closed (sic) to 2022, for Pete’s sakes. They don’t — they fundamentally don’t understand rules of economics, so if you stay closed, the longer you stay closed, the more likely that we go into full-on depression, the more people who are unemployed, more people lose their life savings when their small businesses collapse, more people lose the value of their IRAs, their pension funds. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a business or not, they have — they invest in the market, believe me, and they have pensions and so if you work for a company that has a pension fund, it’s probably down in value. They don’t appreciate that.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-23--Susan Collins heaps praise on testing company that gave her nearly $20,000

Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) is using election advertising and social media to praise a multinational corporation that has contributed nearly $ 20,000 to her campaigns over the past two decades .
Collins has touted Abbott Laboratories ' work in two Facebook posts and one campaign ad over the past month , singling out the company for its work in creating a rapid diagnostic test to detect the novel coronavirus .
Abbott is not the only company making coronavirus tests .
Others include Roche Diagnostics , Biomerica Inc. , and Chembio Diagnostics Inc. Abbott gave the maximum $ 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political action committee to Collins ' 2020 reelection campaign , according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics .
The corporation contributed a total of $ 14,500 to Collins ' reelection campaigns in 2002 , 2008 , and 2014 .
Collins ' comments about Abbott 's work have been effusive .
`` Great work , Abbott !
This is a significant breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19 .
When I toured your Scarborough facility in 2018 , I was so impressed by your dedicated employees who were making the next generation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 28 Facebook post , linking to a press release from Abbott announcing its new coronavirus test .
On April 13 , Collins released a campaign ad highlighting the work companies in Maine were doing amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Abbott , which has a facility in the state , was the first company she mentioned in the 30-second spot .
`` When the coronavirus hit , Maine employers stepped up .
Abbott Labs developed a new test that produces results in five minutes , '' Collins said , adding , `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first . ''
And on April 16 , Collins ' campaign sent out an email highlighting Abbott 's new test : '' Maine workers at so many companies , big and small , in our great state are putting people first during the coronavirus pandemic .
These companies are retooling operations to make protective equipment for medical workers , staying open to make sure Mainers can get essential items like food , and using that classic Maine spirit of innovation to create medical equipment that will be critical in fighting this global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boundaries of medical science by creating new coronavirus tests that will save lives . ''
Donald Trump has also praised Abbott , showcasing the company 's rapid diagnostic test at a March 30 White House news conference .
The machine was displayed upside down .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is using election advertising and social media to praise a multinational corporation that has contributed nearly $20,000 to her campaigns over the past two decades.
Collins has touted Abbott Laboratories’ work in two Facebook posts and one campaign ad over the past month, singling out the company for its work in creating a rapid diagnostic test to detect the novel coronavirus.
Abbott is not the only company making coronavirus tests. Others include Roche Diagnostics, Biomerica Inc., and Chembio Diagnostics Inc.
Abbott gave the maximum $5,000 contribution for an election cycle through its political action committee to Collins’ 2020 reelection campaign, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
The corporation contributed a total of $14,500 to Collins’ reelection campaigns in 2002, 2008, and 2014.
Collins’ comments about Abbott’s work have been effusive.
“Great work, Abbott! This is a significant breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19. When I toured your Scarborough facility in 2018, I was so impressed by your dedicated employees who were making the next generation of diagnostics,” Collins wrote in a March 28 Facebook post, linking to a press release from Abbott announcing its new coronavirus test.
On April 13, Collins released a campaign ad highlighting the work companies in Maine were doing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Abbott, which has a facility in the state, was the first company she mentioned in the 30-second spot.
“When the coronavirus hit, Maine employers stepped up. Abbott Labs developed a new test that produces results in five minutes,” Collins said, adding, “We thank companies like them for putting people first.”
And on April 16, Collins’ campaign sent out an email highlighting Abbott’s new test:
“Maine workers at so many companies, big and small, in our great state are putting people first during the coronavirus pandemic. These companies are retooling operations to make protective equipment for medical workers, staying open to make sure Mainers can get essential items like food, and using that classic Maine spirit of innovation to create medical equipment that will be critical in fighting this global pandemic. Abbott Labs in Scarborough is pushing the boundaries of medical science by creating new coronavirus tests that will save lives.”
Donald Trump has also praised Abbott, showcasing the company’s rapid diagnostic test at a March 30 White House news conference.
The machine was displayed upside down.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-23--Veterans' health care in 'chaos' after Trump administration neglect

As she treated patient after patient infected with the coronavirus at a Veterans Affairs medical center in New York City , Heather Espinal saw stark warning signs .
So many nurses had called in sick , she said , that the Bronx facility was woefully understaffed .
It lacked specially equipped rooms for infected patients , she said , and did n't have enough masks , gloves , and other protective gear to guard against the spread of the highly contagious disease .
Espinal , a member of the union National Nurses United , says she and her colleagues were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using a single N95 face mask for an entire shift rather than getting a new one for each patient .
In early April , she tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` I definitely believe it was related to me being at work , '' said the 34-year-old Espinal , who was out sick for two weeks .
Espinal is one of 1,900 VA health care workers who have become sick with the coronavirus , according to agency documents obtained by the Associated Press .
Twenty have died .
Another 3,600 of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unable to work because they have been exposed to the virus , according to VA figures .
As the coronavirus spreads across the U.S. , VA health care facilities are struggling with shortages of workers and the equipment necessary to protect employees from contracting the virus , according to VA staff and internal documents obtained by the AP .
`` We thought we were doing everything right , even with reusing these N95 respirators .
But we still ended up getting sick , '' Espinal said .
More than 5,700 veterans treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus , and nearly 380 have died .
The Labor Department is now investigating , and several Democrats in Congress sent a letter Thursday calling on Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to get more supplies for VA health facilities .
The VA , responsible for the health care of 9 million military veterans , denied it was short of supplies and stressed that it follows federal health guidelines when rationing personal protective equipment like masks and gloves .
`` VA 's PPE conservation posture is precisely why the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have negatively impacted patient care or employee safety , '' said spokeswoman Christina Mandreucci .
She said the VA has moved aggressively in recent weeks to add staff , hiring 3,183 people , including 981 nurses , from March 29 to April 11 .
But interviews with VA employees at facilities around the country , internal documents , and a March report by the agency 's inspector general tell another story .
The facilities were short of staff and equipment like masks , eye shields , hand sanitizer , and gowns .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days or weeks , according to interviews with VA nurses .
In hard-hit states like New York , a crush of coronavirus patients led to a shortage of negative pressure rooms to limit the spread of the virus , several VA nurses told the AP .
The VA inspector general 's staff visited more than 230 facilities in March .
It found that nearly a third of the medical centers could improve their processing for screening visitors .
More than half of the medical centers reported shortages of supplies and equipment including respirator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffing mostly for nurses in intensive care units .
`` There has been a failure of leadership at VA , and veterans , VA employees , and the public are suffering as a result , '' said Paul Rieckhoff , founder and former head of the organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and now host of the podcast `` Angry Americans . ''
Suzanne Gordon , a senior policy analyst at the nonpartisan Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute , said VA preparations were hampered by inadequate funding and staff , leaving it with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VA facilities all over the country , they are doing a really incredible job trying to respond to the crisis in a situation where they have been deliberately crippled by the Trump administration , '' Gordon said .
As the nation 's largest health care system , the VA typically enjoyed preferred status in orders for medical supplies from prime vendors .
But as the outbreak escalated in the U.S. , surging demand for crucial medical equipment spurred frantic competition for supplies , including from state governments and the National Stockpile .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly from manufacturers , and VA began submitting its orders to FEMA alongside others .
Not long after , according to people familiar with VA 's weekly briefings to Congress , the supply shortages got worse as medical workers burned through 250,000 masks a day .
On April 7 , the VA issued guidelines asking workers to ration masks in response to what the department described as `` shortages '' and challenges in getting `` adequate supplies '' to protect VA staff , according to an internal memo .
Citing Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said employees in direct contact with COVID-19 patients should use N95 masks as protection but might need to reuse them .
VA staff working with high-risk elderly or vulnerable patients , such as those in nursing homes or spinal cord facilities , would only get one face mask per work week .
After criticism from staff , and a small increase in supplies , the VA on April 16 said those employees working with high-risk elderly or vulnerable veterans could now have one face mask per day .
Individual medical centers have wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing employees in direct contact with COVID patients to use surgical masks instead of N95 respirators and permitting staff to bring their own .
All other VA staff would be encouraged to bring in handmade masks , even if they work in a building where the disease is present .
A complaint filed by the American Federation of Government Employees alleges that VA workers who came in contact with someone suspected of contracting the virus were told on orders of VA Secretary Robert Wilkie that they still had to report to work — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating .
The staff and equipment shortages are creating chaos at the VA medical center in Brooklyn , New York , according to Maria Lobifaro , an intensive care nurse .
`` Usually the ratio is one nurse to two critical patients .
I 'm having five critical ICU patients on ventilators , '' said Lobifaro , who also is a member of National Nurses United , which has organized protests as VA facilities in Brooklyn and Baltimore .
`` This has happened four times in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's to the point where ... my hands are trembling because of what I 'm going to walk into , '' she continued .
`` I 've never seen anything like this . ''
A group of Senate Democrats blames Trump for a `` broken procurement and distribution system developed by this administration . ''
`` Those who care for veterans should not be afraid to wake up every morning , go to work and help save veterans ' lives , '' says a letter sent to the White House on Thursday by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee .
More than a dozen senators joined him , including Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont , Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , and Kamala Harris of California , all former 2020 presidential contenders .
`` We have the lowest employee infection rate in the world .
It is less than half of 1 % , '' he said Wednesday on MSNBC , citing higher rates in Italy and elsewhere in the U.S. Irma Westmoreland , a nurse at the Charlie Norwood VA in Augusta , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses to be tested , so no one really knows how bad the situation is .
`` We are told if you have symptoms or feel like you have been exposed and you want to be tested , unless you are veteran , you ca n't be tested , '' said Westmoreland , another NNU member , adding that employees are told go to their own doctors if they want to be tested .
`` It 's stressful for the nurses to be in this environment , '' she said .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have information they need . ''

As she treated patient after patient infected with the coronavirus at a Veterans Affairs medical center in New York City, Heather Espinal saw stark warning signs.
So many nurses had called in sick, she said, that the Bronx facility was woefully understaffed. It lacked specially equipped rooms for infected patients, she said, and didn’t have enough masks, gloves, and other protective gear to guard against the spread of the highly contagious disease.
Espinal, a member of the union National Nurses United, says she and her colleagues were told to do the best they could, using a single N95 face mask for an entire shift rather than getting a new one for each patient. In early April, she tested positive for COVID-19.
“I definitely believe it was related to me being at work,” said the 34-year-old Espinal, who was out sick for two weeks.
Espinal is one of 1,900 VA health care workers who have become sick with the coronavirus, according to agency documents obtained by the Associated Press. Twenty have died. Another 3,600 of the 300,000-plus VA health care employees are quarantined and unable to work because they have been exposed to the virus, according to VA figures.
As the coronavirus spreads across the U.S., VA health care facilities are struggling with shortages of workers and the equipment necessary to protect employees from contracting the virus, according to VA staff and internal documents obtained by the AP.
“We thought we were doing everything right, even with reusing these N95 respirators. But we still ended up getting sick,” Espinal said.
More than 5,700 veterans treated by the VA have been infected by the coronavirus, and nearly 380 have died.
The Labor Department is now investigating, and several Democrats in Congress sent a letter Thursday calling on Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to get more supplies for VA health facilities.
The VA, responsible for the health care of 9 million military veterans, denied it was short of supplies and stressed that it follows federal health guidelines when rationing personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.
“VA’s PPE conservation posture is precisely why the department has not encountered any PPE shortages that have negatively impacted patient care or employee safety,” said spokeswoman Christina Mandreucci. She said the VA has moved aggressively in recent weeks to add staff, hiring 3,183 people, including 981 nurses, from March 29 to April 11.
But interviews with VA employees at facilities around the country, internal documents, and a March report by the agency’s inspector general tell another story.
The facilities were short of staff and equipment like masks, eye shields, hand sanitizer, and gowns. Some workers were forced to reuse masks for days or weeks, according to interviews with VA nurses. In hard-hit states like New York, a crush of coronavirus patients led to a shortage of negative pressure rooms to limit the spread of the virus, several VA nurses told the AP.
The VA inspector general’s staff visited more than 230 facilities in March. It found that nearly a third of the medical centers could improve their processing for screening visitors. More than half of the medical centers reported shortages of supplies and equipment including respirator masks, and 10 reported shortages of staffing mostly for nurses in intensive care units.
“There has been a failure of leadership at VA, and veterans, VA employees, and the public are suffering as a result,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and former head of the organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and now host of the podcast “Angry Americans.”
Suzanne Gordon, a senior policy analyst at the nonpartisan Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, said VA preparations were hampered by inadequate funding and staff, leaving it with nearly 50,000 job openings.
“In VA facilities all over the country, they are doing a really incredible job trying to respond to the crisis in a situation where they have been deliberately crippled by the Trump administration,” Gordon said.
As the nation’s largest health care system, the VA typically enjoyed preferred status in orders for medical supplies from prime vendors.
But as the outbreak escalated in the U.S., surging demand for crucial medical equipment spurred frantic competition for supplies, including from state governments and the National Stockpile. The Federal Emergency Management Agency began buying supplies directly from manufacturers, and VA began submitting its orders to FEMA alongside others.
Not long after, according to people familiar with VA’s weekly briefings to Congress, the supply shortages got worse as medical workers burned through 250,000 masks a day.
On April 7, the VA issued guidelines asking workers to ration masks in response to what the department described as “shortages” and challenges in getting “adequate supplies” to protect VA staff, according to an internal memo. Citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the VA said employees in direct contact with COVID-19 patients should use N95 masks as protection but might need to reuse them. VA staff working with high-risk elderly or vulnerable patients, such as those in nursing homes or spinal cord facilities, would only get one face mask per work week.
After criticism from staff, and a small increase in supplies, the VA on April 16 said those employees working with high-risk elderly or vulnerable veterans could now have one face mask per day.
Individual medical centers have wide discretion if they face shortages, including allowing employees in direct contact with COVID patients to use surgical masks instead of N95 respirators and permitting staff to bring their own.
All other VA staff would be encouraged to bring in handmade masks, even if they work in a building where the disease is present.
A complaint filed by the American Federation of Government Employees alleges that VA workers who came in contact with someone suspected of contracting the virus were told on orders of VA Secretary Robert Wilkie that they still had to report to work — ignoring a 14-day quarantine period. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.
The staff and equipment shortages are creating chaos at the VA medical center in Brooklyn, New York, according to Maria Lobifaro, an intensive care nurse.
“Usually the ratio is one nurse to two critical patients. I’m having five critical ICU patients on ventilators,” said Lobifaro, who also is a member of National Nurses United, which has organized protests as VA facilities in Brooklyn and Baltimore.
“This has happened four times in the last week and a half. It’s to the point where … my hands are trembling because of what I’m going to walk into,” she continued. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
A group of Senate Democrats blames Trump for a “broken procurement and distribution system developed by this administration.”
“Those who care for veterans should not be afraid to wake up every morning, go to work and help save veterans’ lives,” says a letter sent to the White House on Thursday by Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. More than a dozen senators joined him, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Kamala Harris of California, all former 2020 presidential contenders.
Wilkie defended his agency’s response.
“We have the lowest employee infection rate in the world. It is less than half of 1%,” he said Wednesday on MSNBC, citing higher rates in Italy and elsewhere in the U.S.
Irma Westmoreland, a nurse at the Charlie Norwood VA in Augusta, Georgia, said it’s hard for nurses to be tested, so no one really knows how bad the situation is.
“We are told if you have symptoms or feel like you have been exposed and you want to be tested, unless you are veteran, you can’t be tested,” said Westmoreland, another NNU member, adding that employees are told go to their own doctors if they want to be tested.
“It’s stressful for the nurses to be in this environment,” she said. “But it’s even more stressful when they don’t have information they need.”


shareblue--2020-04-23--Cuomo slams McConnell for 'vicious' complaint about sending aid to states

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made clear he opposed financial aid for states suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic , suggesting states `` use the bankruptcy route '' instead .
In a press release , his office called any proposed help from the federal government `` blue state bailouts . ''
States have been lobbying for aid in the face of massive unemployment and financial turmoil as most businesses stay closed to stop the spread of coronavirus .
On Thursday , during his daily press briefing , New York 's Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo responded to McConnell 's statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — when Sen. McConnell said , “ This is a blue state bailout , ” what he ’ s saying is if you look at the states that have coronavirus problems , they tend to be Democratic states .
New York , California , Michigan , Illinois .
They are Democratic states .
So if you fund states that are suffering from the coronavirus , they ’ re Democratic states .
Don ’ t help New York state because it is a Democratic state .
How ugly a thought !
I mean , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he ’ s saying .
People died .
Fifteen thousand people died in New York .
But they were predominantly Democrats , so why should we help them ?
I mean , for crying out loud , if there was ever a time you ’ re going to put aside — for you to put aside your pettiness and your partisanship and this political lens that you see the world through — Democratic and Republican , and we help Republicans but we don ’ t help Democrats — that ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just not who we are as a people .
I mean , if there ’ s ever a time for humanity and decency , now is the time .
And if there was ever a time to stop your political — obsessive political bias and anger , which is what it ’ s morphed into — just a political anger — now is the time .
And you want to politically divide this nation now ?
With all that ’ s going on ?
How irresponsible and how reckless .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , Republican , independent — I don ’ t even care what your political party is .
I represent you .
And we ’ re all there to support each other .
This is not the time or the place or the situation to start your divisive politics .
It is just not .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made clear he opposed financial aid for states suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting states “use the bankruptcy route” instead. In a press release, his office called any proposed help from the federal government “blue state bailouts.”
States have been lobbying for aid in the face of massive unemployment and financial turmoil as most businesses stay closed to stop the spread of coronavirus.
On Thursday, during his daily press briefing, New York’s Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded to McConnell’s statements.
ANDREW CUOMO: Vicious is saying — when Sen. McConnell said, “This is a blue state bailout,” what he’s saying is if you look at the states that have coronavirus problems, they tend to be Democratic states. New York, California, Michigan, Illinois. They are Democratic states. So if you fund states that are suffering from the coronavirus, they’re Democratic states. Don’t help New York state because it is a Democratic state. How ugly a thought! I mean, just think of — just think of what he’s saying. People died. Fifteen thousand people died in New York. But they were predominantly Democrats, so why should we help them? I mean, for crying out loud, if there was ever a time you’re going to put aside — for you to put aside your pettiness and your partisanship and this political lens that you see the world through — Democratic and Republican, and we help Republicans but we don’t help Democrats — that’s not who we are. That’s just not who we are as a people. I mean, if there’s ever a time for humanity and decency, now is the time. And if there was ever a time to stop your political — obsessive political bias and anger, which is what it’s morphed into — just a political anger — now is the time. And you want to politically divide this nation now? With all that’s going on? How irresponsible and how reckless. I’m the governor of all New Yorkers. Democrat, Republican, independent — I don’t even care what your political party is. I represent you. And we’re all there to support each other. This is not the time or the place or the situation to start your divisive politics. It is just not.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.