In one of the last major legislative pushes during the Trump years, a bipartisan coalition of Republicans and Democrats came to a shaky compromise on another COVID relief bill. This bill, which was agreed upon just ahead of the Capitol riot on January 6, is the one responsible for the $600 stimulus checks. Many Republicans hoped this bipartisan approach would signal the way of doing business in the Biden era: through compromise.
Democrats don’t seem to agree. After four years of the Republican-held Senate, led by Mitch McConnell, killing nearly every major policy proposal before it could come to a vote, Democrats seem less then enthusiastic about the prospect of handing Republicans legislative wins.
Republicans Hope for Bipartisanship
Now that they’re the minority party, Republicans have begun asking for bipartisanship in the upper chamber.
“This is the smartest and best place for the president to start on his unity promises,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican lawmaker from West Virginia. “That’s where I think the president has to show the leadership of what he has said he wants to do. … He is the president. So what I think the Democratic leaders need to realize is it’s his agenda.”
Republicans themselves used the budget reconciliation process to cut out Democrats two times during Trump’s administration. Moreover, many Republicans vocally oppose Biden’s COVID relief bill, claiming it has far too many concessions to progressives: an increased minimum wage, expanded sick leave and another round of $1400 stimulus checks.
Democrats Done Playing Nice?
Democrats in the Senate have a reputation for going easy on Republicans when they’re in power. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer noted that they’ll simply move ahead with the legislation should Republicans signal any opposition. “…[I]f our Republican colleagues decide to oppose this urgent and necessary legislation, we will move forward without them,” Schumer stated.
Economists have warned that sudden, aggressive action needs to be taken on the economy. The recent contractions in the economy due to the pandemic have been some of the worst seen in 100 years. As such, there is simply no time to delay the relief bill, according to Democrats in the Senate. Should Republicans want to work with them on passing the bill, many agree, that would be the best for optics.
However, it seems, Democrats won’t simply stop pushing for the legislation just because the minority party doesn’t like it. As Republicans were so fond of saying during Trump’s administration, elections have consequences.
