Cuts in Enhanced Unemployment Benefits Makes Senate GOP HEELS, Not HEALS

If Senate Republicans have their way this will be the final week of enhanced unemployment benefits of $600. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced a reduction in enhanced unemployment benefits from $600 to $200 a week through September.

In the meantime, states will be given to October to overhaul the dissemination of unemployment benefits. At which point, unemployed workers would be granted up to $500 a week limited to 70% of lost wages.

This is all under the auspices of the HEALS Act. I think it would be more aptly described as the HEELS Act.

Back in May, House Democrats passed the HEROES Act which would have extended the $600 per week enhanced unemployment benefits until January 31, 2021. However, Senate Republicans have no interest in passing the HEROES Act nor does President Trump have any intention of signing it. 

They argue that many workers (myself included) are making more "sitting at home" than in the workforce. Of course, this ignores the fact that businesses continue to layoff employees especially as surges in COVID-19 have put a halt to reopening plans. The evidence also suggests that $600 a week has not deterred the unemployed from seeking jobs. Certainly not in my case. But Republicans would have us believe we're all a bunch of lazy bums. 

Yes, the Senate GOP supports another round of $1200 stimulus checks, but some people still have received the first batch. Somehow I don't think Republican cronies are going to have much trouble in getting an additional $100 billion in PPP loans. 

I can only hope Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and the so-called mainstream media can shame Republicans from diving the country into further disaster.