It’s been a confusing time for Black Americans hoping for some relief from the government during the ninth month of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were reports that Congress was coming to a compromise. Then President Trump cancelled talks. Then he demanded they be re-started – and then the Senate majority leader refused to negotiate! What’s going on?
Unemployment fell slightly in September, though mostly for white Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage.
Some analysts hoped an outbreak within the White House and president Trump’s diagnosis would spur Congressional action. But that hasn’t happened.
At first, Trump canceled stimulus talks. Soon after, he demanded they be resumed.
Congress can’t seem to agree on how to move forward – Republicans want a small, targeted stimulus while Democrats want a comprehensive, sweeping stimulus that would include direct payments and an extension of unemployment bonuses.
Then Trump threw another wrench into the proceedings.
“Go big or go home,” he tweeted, indicating that he wants an even bigger stimulus than either party’s proposal.
After weeks of negotiations, Trump seemed to make a compromise with Congressional Democrats. But Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell refused to allow a vote on it.
Congress and the White House continue to negotiate, but it’s unclear if a compromise will be coming any time soon – or if relying on the government to do right by us is ever a smart move.