Albuquerque March 26—As the Coronavirus death toll rises and the nation faces its crippled economy, it is reprehensible that in this crisis Senate Democrats blackmailed Republicans into passing a $2 trillion stimulus package to get selfish and gratuitous items. This past week, at the urging of Speaker Pelosi, Democratic Senators used their filibuster powers to block the Republican stimulus bill from moving forward. That bill focused on helping families and saving jobs, businesses and the economy. Republicans had a choice: watch businesses and families go broke or accept Democrats’ wish list that didn’t pertain to the crisis at hand. It is disgraceful that the Democrats’ political theater would supersede true legislative responsibility in these dire times. They were willing to shut down the nation to get their demands.

The goal of the stimulus bill is to give the states and nation an economic jolt to revitalize and continue economic activities and to provide Americans with financial relief as millions seek unemployment claims.

The GOP bill addressed the most pressing needs: families, jobs and businesses. The stimulus package includes:

$250 billion in recovery rebates for Americans—immediate relief for citizens.
Single Americans would receive $1,200, married couples $2,400, and $500 per child under 17.
$500 billion for businesses and industries to get the economy growing.
$117 billion for hospitals.

Now, some of the items Democrats got:
Members of the House of Representatives got a salary increase.
A nationwide mandate for ballot harvesting.
Same-day voter registration in 2020.
U.S. Postal Service bailout funding.
The federal government would provide $600 more per month on top of state unemployment benefits, an incentive for some not to work.
$25 million for the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
$75 million for Public Television.
$1.2 billion for renewal jet fuel for airlines.
Are these pet projects related to the lives and livelihoods of the American people at this critical time?

“This stimulus package is about saving lives and rescuing our country which is on the brink of economic destruction,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. “Republicans understand this and are addressing people and their jobs. For Democrats to hold people hostage on this emergency relief bill to get their projects and special interests included is not acceptable.”

The House is expected to take up the stimulus package tomorrow.