'Our Democratic colleagues have not even let us pass non-controversial money to invest in vaccine distribution. Not unless the two parties settle a whole list of issues that are controversial the way they want. I hope our colleagues let Congress deliver more help soon.'
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks Thursday on the Senate floor regarding COVID-19 relief:
"We learned a few minutes ago that new unemployment claims just hit their highest weekly total since mid-September.
"It's the largest one-week jump since back in March. And the number of continuing claims — people struggling with joblessness on an ongoing basis — which had plateaued for months but at least not increased, just ticked back up as well.
"Our economic recovery thus far has been faster than expected. Americans are tough and resilient.
"But our people need another dose of support as we hope to close out our battle with this virus.
"We should be doing everything we can to prevent layoff, create jobs where possible, and race toward the vaccines that will end this nightmare.
"While Democrats hold the Paycheck Protection Program hostage over controversial state government bailouts, family businesses are closing their doors.
"While Democrats resist the kinds of common-sense legal protections that we've put in place during past emergencies, our re-opening and recovery is threatened by — according to one estimate — more than 6,500 lawsuits and counting.
"Here's what one litigator told one reporter a couple days ago: These lawsuits are, quote, 'pretty common these days. I have seen 10 like this over the past 30 days.'
"The American Council on Education told Congress in May that colleges and universities need temporary but strong legal protections. Our Democratic colleagues want to pretend they are bravely fighting big corporations, but they're really bullying small-business owners and college presidents, who've been pleading for these protections for months.
"Our Democratic colleagues have not even let us pass non-controversial money to invest in vaccine distribution. Not unless the two parties settle a whole list of issues that are controversial the way they want.
"I hope our colleagues let Congress deliver more help soon. A lot of Americans cannot afford to wait."
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