‘Past Incomprehensible’: Bipartisan Covid Reduction Package deal Would Let Paid Sick and Household Go away Expire

An updated version of the $ 908 billion bipartisan coronavirus aid proposal currently negotiated on Capitol Hill does not include an extension of the federal paid sick and family vacation programs due to expire later this year. This could clear nearly 90 million workers the main benefits as the pandemic worsens.

Vicki Shabo, a senior member of the New America think tank, told HuffPost on Wednesday that the proposal’s exclusion from paid vacation benefits was “an affront to all cause”, especially given the programs’ success in preventing coronavirus infection.

“It is incomprehensible, myopic and ridiculous given the proven public health benefits and the growing number of parents at home with children.”
– Vicki Shabo, New AmericaAccording to a study published in Health Affairs magazine in October, paid vacation benefits required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) prevented an estimated 400 coronavirus cases per day per state in the United States

“It’s incomprehensible, myopic and ridiculous given the proven public health benefits and the growing number of parents at home with children,” Shabo said.

The FFCRA was approved by Congress and incorporated into law in March. Many employers have to grant employees infected or exposed to the coronavirus up to two weeks sick leave with full pay. The law also provides for family leave of up to 12 weeks, of which only 10 are paid.

Despite the inadequacies of the programs, advocates of paid vacation warned that it would be a huge mistake to let benefits run out.

“Not only can we afford to extend emergency paid leave at the height of a pandemic, but we can’t,” tweeted Paid Leave for All, a campaign campaigning for universal family and medical leave. “It is one of the most cost-effective tools to save lives and jobs.”

Remember: COVID #paidleave prevents 400 cases / day per state. Millions of parents are at home because childcare for children is closed and schools are virtual. #paidleave cannot be taken out of the #covid package, is vital for workers and also a help for businesses as it is reimbursed. https://t.co/dbM11qHls7

– Vicki Shabo (@VShabo) December 9, 2020

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The exclusion of paid leave is just one of several major issues that progressives have raised in response to the bipartisan aid proposal first unveiled last week by a group of lawmakers, including Sens. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.), Susan Collins ( R. -Maine.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) And Mitt Romney (R-Utah.).

Another major omission that Progressives have highlighted is direct stimulus payments, a form of relief overwhelmingly popular and necessary among Americans across the political spectrum. Speaking to reporters last week, Collins recognized the popularity of direct payments before brushing aside the demand for inclusion in the bipartisan package.

“This is an emergency and the US government must respond. Any Covid agreement must include direct payments for adults of at least US $ 1,200, children of US $ 500 and additional unemployment benefits.”
– Sen. Bernie Sanders

“I know there is considerable public support for this,” said Collins, but right now we are targeting families in difficulty, failing businesses, and healthcare workers, and we don’t have a stimulus check for every individual, regardless of who of need. “

While the recent move – and apparent progress – in the relief negotiations raised hopes that lawmakers may be close to a deal after months of unsuccessful back and forth, Politico reported Wednesday that “stimulus talks are back where they have been for months . ” : nowhere. “

“The leaders of Congress have withdrawn to their corners blaming each other for inaction as the economy is on the verge of chaos and the US kills nearly 300,000 from the virus,” noted Politico. “Time is running out in the lame duck and Congress has only nine days to bring much-needed relief.”

In addition to the bipartisan sub-framework that is still being worked out, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) And the Trump White House have come up with their own stimulus proposals, both of which were immediately rejected because a week’s rule was ruled out Unemployment benefit.

“Millions are unemployed, displaced, have no health insurance and [are] starve, “tweeted Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday.” This is an emergency and the US government must respond. Each Covid agreement must include a minimum of $ 1,200 in direct payments for adults, $ 500 for children, and additional unemployment benefits. “