Congress: Stimulus and spending update

On September 30, the Senate passed the Continuing Resolution funding the government until after the election. The following ten Republican senators voted against continuing spending on autopilot: Marsha Blackburn (TN) Mike Braun (IN) Ted Cruz (TX) Josh Hawley (MO) Ron Johnson (WI) Mike Lee (UT) Kelly Loeffler (GA) Rand Paul (KY) Rick Scott (FL) Pat Toomey (PA) On October 1, the House passed a new $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill on a party-line vote. The bill spends money on “stimulus” checks as well as bailouts for the post office, airlines, and restaurants. It also provides money for schools. The bill also allocates money for “contact tracing and testing.” This is the scheme to use coronavirus as an excuse to have government track all your movements so they will know if you came into contact with someone who is suspected of having the virus. This system could ultimately be used to enforce any mandate that individuals be forbidden from resuming a normal life unless they have a “digital certificate” certifying they have COVID antibodies—and the easiest way to show you have the antibodies is to get the COVID vaccine. So, your “choice” is between staying at home or allowing the government to override any medical, religious, or other concerns you have and get a vaccine. The vote was 214-207. Eighteen Democrats joined every Republican in voting against it. You can see the vote here. The bill was brought to the floor because House Democrats in close races convinced Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) it was necessary to vote on a smaller bill to show voters the House was willing to compromise to get a bill passed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has remained adamant that any bill spending over $1 trillion would be dead on arrival in the Senate because of the objections of fiscal conservatives like Rand Paul. Senator McConnell held another vote last Thursday on a $500 billion “skinny” coronavirus relief/economic stimulus bill. McConnell’s “skinny” bill failed to obtain the necessary 60 votes to obtain cloture. The cloture vote was 51-44, with every Democrat who was present voting no and every Republican who was present voting yes. You can see the vote here. (Note: the legislation, S. 178, originally dealt with human rights in China but was replaced by the “skinny” spending bill in order to speed it to the Senate floor.) While negotiations go on between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Trump Administration, it is unlikely that any deal will be reached before the election. In fact, it appears Democrats don’t want a deal. They want to beat up Republicans for not spending enough to help people through this (government-caused) economic crisis. Democrats are also betting they will be able to get their entire Coronavirus stimulus wish list enacted into law next year. One thing is certain, the threat of multi-trillion dollar coronavirus bills that include H.R. 666(6)-like contact tracing and tracking will remain after the election and into next session. Your continued support and action is critical to stop this all-out assault on liberty.