President Trump on Friday accused Democrats of forcing Americans into joblessness by taking an “ENDLESS VACATION” during the coronavirus outbreak instead of passing an expansion of small business loans.
Trump’s attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer came a day after the Small Business Administration exhausted $350 billion in loans designed to prevent layoffs.
“Today people started losing their jobs because of Crazy Nancy Pelosi, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, and the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, who should immediately come back to Washington and approve legislation to help families in America. End your ENDLESS VACATION!” Trump wrote.
Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a $250 billion supplement to the small-business loans, which will be forgiven if companies keep workers on their payroll. Democrats objected to a lack of consensus, saying they wanted to tack on $100 billion for hospitals and $150 billion for states and local governments.
The original small-business assistance was part of a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill approved by Congress last month. The bill also boosted unemployment insurance pay by $600 per week.
The House and Senate are expected to remain out of session until at least May 4, meaning the funds likely won’t be refreshed soon. In addition to Democratic opposition, GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky indicated he may force an in-person vote, further increasing the likelihood of delay.
According to unemployment insurance data released Thursday, at least 17 million Americans — or about 10 percent of all workers — lost their jobs in the first three weeks of widespread business closures as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump announced plans Thursday for a gradual reopening of the economy, but many state and local officials plan to keep lockdown orders in place well into May and possibly longer.