US Government Response to Coronavirus

The Hill reports that President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has jumped to 49 percent, matching the high point of his presidency. Sixty percent of voters overall said they approve of the job Trump is doing to address the epidemic, including 94 percent of Republicans, 60 percent of independents, and 27 percent of Democrats. 

Democrats on Capitol Hill are much less popular this week, after House Democrats brought out a coronavirus stimulus bill chock-full of liberal special interest provisions and Senate Democrats unexpectedly held up votes on the bipartisan Senate version of bill.

The House bill included elements to increase the power of public sector unions, appease global warming alarmists, and suspend aspects of enforcement of immigration laws. The bill included a $15/hour minimum wage as a “permanent requirement” on all companies receiving federal aid. It also would have imposed federal mandates on how states hold elections, including requiring voting methods that would have destroyed our ability to secure our elections from fraud and abuse.

Under pressure, Speaker Nancy Pelosi withdrew her bill. The Senate bill was passed by the Senate last night and will be voted on by the House tomorrow. The Senate’s $2 trillion package includes:

• $117 billion for hospitals and other health entities;
• $301 billion in direct payments to households in the form $1,200 in direct payments to most Americans, and more to those who have lost jobs;
• $367 billion employee retention fund for small businesses;
• $500 billion lending program for businesses, cities and states;
• $250 billion to expand unemployment benefits;
• $32 billion in grants to cover wages at passenger air carriers, cargo air carriers and contractors; and
• $450 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program, which supplies food banks.

A good description of the bill’s elements can be found here.