Whose side are the Republicans on?

Predictably, Doug Lamalfa characterized the recent COVID relief bill as being blatantly partisan, citing as proof that no Republicans voted for it. This is hogwash. According to polls, the bill was supported by 75% of Americans, including 59% of conservatives. It was broadly supported by people from both parties, just not from our blatantly partisan right-wing congressional representatives, including Representative LaMalfa.

Yes, the bill adds $1.9 trillion to the national debt, which is a LOT of money. But do you know what else added $1.9 trillion to the national debt, but which enjoyed enthusiastic support from 278 congressional Republicans? The Trump tax cut of 2017, which disproportionately benefited corporations and the richest Americans (according to the Congressional Research Service). By comparison, most of the money in the COVID relief bill goes to lower income households, including extra unemployment insurance, expanded tax credits, and programs to make rent, food, and health insurance more affordable. The bill is predicted to cut the number of Americans living in poverty by one third, and child poverty by one half. It’s a proven fact that when lower income people get extra money they spend it, pumping it back into the economy, while richer Americans tend to hoard it and stash it.

Over the past year, over 15 million Americans lost their health insurance, over 10 million lost their jobs, and over half a million lost their lives.

Meanwhile, billionaires added over $1 trillion to their net worth.

Whose side are the Republicans on?

— Scott Paulo, Chico