We had some time last night to dive into the Senate Republicans’ pathetic proposal for coronavirus relief.

My reaction in a phrase:

Are you kidding me?

Here’s just a sampling of the nonsense that Mitch McConnell and his band of not-so-merry jokesters put in their package:

• Presumptive immunity from lawsuits for corporations that adopt a written policy saying they aim to comply with governmental coronavirus standards. Just a written policy!

• $8 billion in funding for specific weapons purchases, including $686 million for F-35 fighter jets.

• $1.75 billion for a new FBI building at the site of its current headquarters in Washington, D.C. — demanded by the Trump administration to prevent the site from being used for a hotel that would compete with the Trump International Hotel, which just happens to be right across the street.

• A scheme to create a commission that would lead to severe cuts in Social Security benefits.

By contrast, here are some things people actually need that are NOT in the Republican package:

• A plan to assist people who have lost health insurance in the pandemic.

• An extension of the federal moratorium on evictions.

• Safety protections for workers.

• Funding for states and localities to enable all Americans to vote safely amid the crisis.

You get the point.

All in all, it’s quite an exercise in demonstrating what Mitch McConnell’s real priorities are.

But it’s not a serious legislative proposal — not in light of what the country is facing.

Tell your senators:

The half-baked, watered-down, corporate-handout proposal kludged together by Mitch McConnell and the Trump Gang is a travesty. Get serious and get to work on the bold, comprehensive coronavirus relief legislation the American people and our economy need.

Add your name.

Take action today even if you’ve added your name to other recent petitions around this issue. With so much on the line, we have to reassert our conviction again and again.

Thanks for taking action.

In unity,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. Public Citizen — like many nonprofits and other small businesses — is feeling the financial strain of the coronavirus emergency. If you can, please consider donating to support the critical work we’re doing together. Thank you.
 
 
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