Congress should be ashamed of themselves.

But they’re not.

They’re actually patting themselves on the back today. 

While unemployed people and small businesses, representing primarily the food and restaurant related businesses, have been waiting months and months for Congress to agree on a China virus “emergency” relief package…, this is what they came up with?!  

And what kind of “emergency” relief package takes 6 months to pass?

I really don’t think you get to use the word “emergency” anymore.

Just sayin’.

According to Megan Henney of Fox News, “Congressional leaders on Sunday reached a deal on a roughly $900 billion coronavirus relief package after a half-year of stalemate, securing another tranche [portion] of aid as a surge in COVID-19 infections threatens to further derail the nation’s sputtering economy.”

Please don’t come around here with this “tranche” garbage.  It’s okay to speak English…, it really is.

“If passed by the House and Senate on Monday as expected, the legislation would extend aid to millions of Americans still reeling from the pandemic by providing a fresh round of stimulus checks [Individuals making up to $75,000 a year will receive a direct cash payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, on top of $600 for dependents under the age of 17.], enhanced unemployment benefits and money for small businesses, as well as new funding for struggling industries, tax breaks, vaccine distribution and education and health care.”

Nancy Pelosi calls these $600 stimulus checks “significant,” but please recall that she said the $1,000 tax cut bonuses, pushed by President Trump in 2018 were “crumbs.”

Getting back to this recent legislation…, it all sounds pretty good…, but that’s not the whole story, is it Megan?

Who exactly determines what a “struggling industry” is?

What small businesses have been hit the hardest by China virus lockdowns?

I’ll give you a hint, Congress…, LOCALLY OWNED RESTAURANTS!!!

Is there any aid in your package targeted to help out all of these restaurants?  

NO!!!

But you did manage to carve out a provision to expand the checks to “mixed-status households,” allowing American citizens who are married to foreign nationals without Social Security numbers to receive the aid.

Well, isn’t that special? 

Let’s see what other “special” funding Congress dreamed up that was so critical in dealing with the China virus. 

In addition, Brittany De Lea of FOXBusiness reports that, “The lengthy coronavirus relief bill lawmakers agreed upon over the weekend – and are hoping to approve this week – includes a number of lesser-known provisions that have raised some eyebrows.”

“Raised some eyebrows?”

It should raise some peoples’ blood pressure!

“Among them are a pair of assistance programs in Pakistan, whereby $15 million will be put toward ‘democracy programs’ and $10 million will be distributed to ‘gender programs.’”

Are you kidding me?

Are you people all insane?

“While it is not made explicitly clear what is meant by ‘gender programs’ in the legislation, gender equality is a central component to development in the country, according to the United Nations Population Fund.”

And what about these “democracy programs?”

If they’re anything like the “democracy programs” here in the states, they’re isn’t much “democracy” involved.

“The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) website also states that it works with Pakistan to improve women’s access to economic opportunities, increase girls’ access to education, improve maternal and child health, combat gender-based violence, and increase women’s political and civic participation in Pakistan.”

Again…, isn’t that special.

Congratulations Pakistan!

Hey…, how are the restaurants doing over there in Pakistan?

Just wondering.

The “Young Americans for Liberty” group also pointed out that $700 million was gifted to Sudan, and that $300 million was set aside for “fisheries.”

Obviously, more critical programs required to help with the China virus relief package.

I’m only surprised that no funding was earmarked for China to help them in their battle against the China virus!

Tom Elliott, @tomselliott, adds that. “The Covid relief bill lays the groundwork for a ‘Climate Security Advisory Council,’ whatever that is.

Then we have desperately needed Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act.

Yes, you read that right.

Bill Finley, for The Thoroughbred Daily News [I have to admit, I didn’t even know there was such a thing.], reports that, “The $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that was expected to pass Monday includes a provision that calls for the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. The legislation that would bring sweeping change to how the sport is regulated and policed appears to have cleared its final hurdle.”

‘“It’s a great day,’ said Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY), a longtime proponent of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. ‘It’s going to save a sport, provide additional jobs and will be so respectful of the equine athletes, the jockeys and others who are involved. It begins and ends there. I am thrilled about it.’”

‘“It’s a great day,’ said Arthur Hancock, who, along with his wife Staci, has been fighting for industry reform for nearly 30 years…”

Well, it’s obviously a “great day” ladies and gentlemen!

‘“It’s hard to believe. I’m still sort of pinching myself that it is done. Leader McConnell of Kentucky has done a wonderful job and so has Andy Barr and Paul Tonko. Senator McConnell, they threw him the pass and he ran a 75-yard touchdown. I think now the horse business has a future.’”

Absolutely!

What would all of the people affected by the China virus do, knowing that the horse racing business was experiencing difficulties?!

And Senator Mitch McConnell is our hero!

Lastly, according to Jason Lemon for NEWSWEEK, “The 5,593-page government funding bill that includes the COVID-19 stimulus legislation also includes a section outlining the reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama.”

What?!

With all due respect to the Dali Lama, why in THEE hell would this be in the bill…, and who wanted it in the bill?!

Again…, are you kidding me?

Again…, are these people all insane?

You just can’t make this stuff up.

Senator Mike Lee, of Utah, tweeted, “This is the spending bill under consideration in Congress today.  I received it just moments ago, and will likely be asked to vote on it late tonight.  It’s 5,593 pages long. I know there are some good things in it.  I’m equally confident that there are bad things in it.”

You may or may not agree with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez on many topics, but you have to agree with her on this when she tweeted, “Members of Congress have not read this bill. It’s over 5000 pages, arrived at 2pm today, and we are told to expect a vote on it in 2 hours.”

“This isn’t governance. It’s hostage-taking.”

“And by the way, it’s not just members who need to see the bill ahead of time – YOU do.”

“The PUBLIC needs to see these bills w [with] enough time to contact their rep to let them know how they feel.”

“Members are reeling right now bc [because] they don’t have time to consult w/ their communities.”

The republican and democrat leaders don’t want you to read it.

They just want you to shut up and vote for it.

They’ll determine what’s best for you and all of us peons, Ms. Ocasio Cortez!

They don’t want to hear how any of us feel about it.

They don’t care.

Really, they don’t.

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