As Common Dreams
reported, the departure
of the GOP-controlled Senate for the weekend without a
resolution to the benefits questions earned the upper
chamber's leadership a harsh rebuke in a speech from
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who called the decision by
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to recess until
Monday unacceptable.
"The lapse that is being forced on this country right
now is because Senate Republicans would not step up,"
said Wyden. "The lapse is going to lead to evictions,
it's going to lead to hunger, it's going to lead to
desperation for millions of Americans."
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House Democrats took to Twitter to decry their Senate
GOP colleagues for abdicating their responsibility to
the American people, noting that Republicans found time
to vote for a mammoth $740 billion Pentagon budget but
failed to approve anything to meet the needs of
struggling workers and families.
"Senate Republicans have left Washington without
passing the HEROES Act, without proposing their own
Covid relief package, and without extending enhanced
unemployment benefits for millions,"
tweeted Rep. Mark Pocan
(D-Wis.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive
Caucus. "But they were able to pass a $740 billion
defense budget with no trouble."
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) echoed those concerns and pointed out that the Senate's departure ensures the benefit will run out after next week's claims.
"The cliff is here and Americans are suffering," said
Chu.
Progressive groups like Indivisible are urging
members to pressure senators to have a vote on the
HEROES Act, which Democrats in the House passed in May,
as soon as possible.
