Opinion: Congress has failed to support Americans
The pandemic has been devastating for many Americas both emotionally and financially. The US government has been quite supportive of big businesses and banks but have failed to support the American people.
The CARES Act was passed in April to give 90% of taxpaying Americans up to $1200, with additional money if they have children. However, there are still Americans who have not received their check yet for various reasons. This was not nearly enough money to support the millions who lost their jobs or faced unexpected costs such as childcare as a result of the safety measures put in place.
Other first world countries have done a better job of handling the pandemic in terms of cases and deaths, but it did come with an economic cost. These countries decided that the lives of their people were more important than the economy, and I’m inclined to agree.
This is exemplified when looking at Australia. Their harsh restrictions led to their first recession in nearly 30 years, but they’re already starting to recover. Data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts the Australian economy will grow 3.2% in 2021. Other first world countries’ economies are predicted to shrink more as they have to keep reimposing restrictions.
There is even data that suggests that lower COVID death rates go hand in hand with minimal economic decline. In South Korea, there were 6.92 deaths per million people and their economy shrunk less than 5% in the second quarter of 2020.
Congress has voted on and essentially passed a second stimulus package 9 months later. This shouldn’t be the second package, it should be the third or fourth. Congress has turned the pandemic into petty partisan fighting instead of doing their job: serving the people who elected them. They need to get their heads out of the sand and pass legislation that will provide much-needed relief to Americans.
The current package gives a paltry $600 in a direct deposit check and, although it has provisions for small businesses, there are no funds going to the states. According to a recent Congressional Budget Office report, aid to local and state governments would help the GDP the most. This compromise was needlessly rushed and will fall short of its purpose to help the economy and the American people.
Prior to this package, a proposed stimulus package had been backed by Trump and passed in the Democratic House twice. Now, Trump is criticizing the compromise Congress has reached, saying that bigger direct payments should be included, among other things.
Trump is now refusing to sign the bill, which he shouldn’t be doing as millions of Americans are suffering as a result, but some of his criticisms are valid. There should be bigger direct payments.
Congress has failed to provide proper economic support to Americans for the past 9 months and one $600 check will not cut it for the ones who need it the most. Sure, it may be better than nothing, but $600 is not a lot when compared to the cost of living spread out over 9 months.
The tomfoolery surrounding the stimulus package as well as the government’s response to the pandemic has made the brokenness of our system clear. Congress and the White House need to get better at compromising, communicating, and serving the people. The petty infighting and gridlock puts the livelihood of millions at risk and has led to unnecessary death and suffering.
Ella Olson is an opinion writer at the Statesman. She’s originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota and enjoys reading, debate, and hammocking.
ella.olson@usu.edu