July 30, 2020

Manchin: McConnell Directly Responsible For Lapse In Unemployment Benefits

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on a procedural vote to take up to Mitch McConnell’s partisan COVID-19 relief package.

“Today I voted NO on Mitch McConnell’s empty shell that he forced a vote on to score cheap political points because it did nothing to address the critical issues facing West Virginians and Americans during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, these McConnell tactics are not surprising – we saw a similar effort by him in March and only through bipartisan negotiations were we able to pass the CARES Act by a vote of 96-0. For McConnell to yet again accuse Democrats of not wanting to provide COVID-19 relief is hypocrisy at its highest level. It is truly a shame that his toxic, partisan approach has resulted in no progress towards providing essential relief to struggling families and small businesses. His inaction these past four months makes him directly responsible for the lapse in unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

“All week long, I have had good faith conversations with Republican colleagues who are eager to correct the failures of McConnell’s proposal – especially addressing children and youth homelessness, increasing internet access in rural communities, providing essential funding for our rural hospitals, and ensuring small businesses and individuals are kept whole. I am focused on continuing these conversations with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle through the weekend in hopes that we can reach a deal next week to ensure that our healthcare crisis does not continue to spiral into an economic crisis.”