“Let’s see what they propose. Not holding hope too high though.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are seen at an event with House and Senate Democrats in the Capitol on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Thursday, May 7
After Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer promised in an interview Thursday that he and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are soon to unveil a “Rooseveltian” coronavirus aid package, progressives responded with skeptical hope.
“Let’s see what they propose,” tweeted progressive activist Stephanie Quilao. “Not holding hope too high though.”
Oh really now. "Franklin Rooseveltian-type action" relief package from the corporatist Dems. Let's see how close they get to:
▪️$2K/mo income relief
▪️Cancel rent + mortgages
▪️Universal healthcare covering EVERYONE
▪️Hazard pay for front line workers
▪️Paid sick + family leave https://t.co/2njhennbkj— The Bern Identity (@bern_identity) May 7, 2020
Schumer, a New York Democrat, told MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle that Democrats were working on a major package to assist the victims of the economic crisis caused by the virus, which is still spreading across the country and killing thousands.
“We have a huge crisis here,” said Schumer. “We need action here to help average folks. We’ve done some in the House and Senate. We need to do a lot more.”
This would be totally at odds with what's been reported so far https://t.co/R5xjr8HmnK
— Mando (@MitchellCares) May 7, 2020
Winnie Wong, co-founder of People for Bernie and former senior advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, signaled her support for a transformative piece of legislation on par with FDR’s New Deal:
I hope so https://t.co/M7e49X7Rsc
— Fred (@WaywardWinifred) May 7, 2020
By invoking Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose New Deal helped get the U.S out of the Great Depression, Schumer is setting expectations high for the package.
“This is good,” tweeted economist Stephanie Kelton. “Now dig your heels in and let’s get it done.”
But some progressives were wary of promises from Democratic leadership, especially in light of reporting that Pelosi is considering adding funding to bailout lobbyists into the next bill while downplaying the possibility of legislation introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) for a paycheck guarantee proposal.
Shoveling cash at lobbying groups, wrote the American Prospect’s David Dayen, was the “dumbest political maneuver” the California Democrat could use her leverage for in the current moment.
This article published by Common Dreams on May 7, 2020, here…
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