What a deal for Democrats: They get to hold the economy for ransom, and the media blithely cover for them.
On Thursday, Senate Democrats nixed a simple but urgent request to boost cash in the emergency small business loan program Congress set up this month from $350 billion to $600 billion.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin requested the cash because funds are running low, just weeks after the program launched.
Rather than comply, Democrats issued demands: They insisted the new money include $60 billion for “community-based lenders” that serve minorities, women, nonprofits and other groups. And the bill also had to OK an immediate $250 billion for cities, states, hospitals, food stamps and other needs.
“Everything is an opportunity,” explained House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Democrats, she said, will use talks over more loan funds as a way to address “disparities” in America.
And if they don’t get their way, no one gets a dime more. Never mind that businesses face bankruptcy or that 17 million people filed for jobless benefits in recent weeks.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pleaded for action: “I am literally talking about deleting the number 350 and writing 600 in its place.” That’s it. “Please do not block emergency aid you do not oppose just because you want something more.”
McConnell essentially promised other needs would be addressed in the next big rescue package, once it’s clear what those needs are. Yet Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats refused to budge.
And the press proceeded to cover for them. A CNN headline, at first, correctly summed up the story: “Democrats block a GOP-led funding boost for small business aid program.” The New York Times had a similar take. Minutes later, CNN moved to obscure Dem culpability with new wording: “Senate at stalemate over more COVID-19 aid.” The Times did likewise.
These left-leaning outlets don’t even care that their covering for Dems is so blatant. The Times took heat just this month for changing a headline, “Democrats Block Action” on the $2.2 trillion rescue plan, to “Partisan Divide Threatens Deal.” Yet that didn’t stop Thursday’s changeroo.
No wonder Dems are so willing to resort to blackmail: They can count on their puppets in the press never to report it that way.