This morning, journalists reported that congressional leaders have inched closer to a stimulus compromise.  

Nancy Pelosi indicated her willingness to consider this much smaller package that continues to include the corporate “liability shield” that Democrats rightfully criticized previously. When asked why she changed positions to accept the current proposal, she pointed to the election of President-Elect Biden, and the emergence of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Pelosi’s response is senseless. While the vaccine is an exciting development, millions more Americans will be infected, and thousands will certainly die, before it becomes widely available. Each of those people, and their families, will have no recourse against corporations should this proposal pass.

The costs of the corporate liability shield might at one point might have been offset by substantial investments in public infrastructure and state governments. This summer, McConnell put on the table of $1.8 trillion package—nearly twice the $900 billion currently under discussion.

During the last several months, as an eviction wave has swept the country and more and more Americans have fallen into severe financial despair, Pelosi repeatedly deferred stimulus negotiations. It seems that she was simply delaying to serve her perceived political interests—while the American people continue to pay the price.

We shouldn’t be surprised. But we should all certainly be outraged. We deserve champions in Washington, not prevaricators putting their own interests before those of the country.

With every passing day, Pelosi reinforces the case for her to be replaced. We invite you to stand with us as we consider the possibility of running again in 2022.

Warmly,

Shahid