Jason Delgado
Congressman Al Lawson blamed President Donald Trump on Wednesday for Congress’s inability to deliver a stimulus check to the American public.
Since April, the Democratic-controlled House and Republican-controlled Senate have failed to strike a deal on a stimulus package. The fruitless negotiations, meanwhile, have left millions of Americans and businesses struggling through the country’s COVID-19 ravaged economy.
Lawson, a Democrat representing a portion of Florida’s Panhandle, said Trump and Senate Republicans are to blame.
“It’s not us,” Lawson exclaimed. “We passed this package four months ago and we’ve been going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, and now it’s time for action. We are set and ready to go so it’s up to them.”
Trump on Tuesday rejected a House Democrat stimulus proposal and ordered Republicans to halt talks until after the November election. He accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of “not negotiating in good faith.”
Lawson, alternatively, told reporters that Pelosi wants to do “everything she can” to help Americans.
“The problem is we can’t get (it) because of the President’s position for the Senate to move on it,” Lawson said. “We were hopeful that we could get something moving this week so we can have some stimulus dollars on the ground before the election. It is much needed.”
Despite Republicans and Democrats remaining more than almost $1 billion apart in stimulus plans, Trump later suggested that he would sign a standalone bill for $1,200 stimulus checks.
“Move Fast, I Am Waiting To Sign!” the President tweeted to Pelosi.
Lawson, however, said the mixed messages are harmful to the negotiation process and American people.
“We just never know what side of the bed is going to get up on,” Lawson said. “As a result, I don’t think he really cares about helping the American people. I think he is using this opportunity during the election because he’s behind in the polls. He’s doing that to gain visibility and I can tell you that we are set and ready to go.”
Lawson’s remarks came during the grand opening of a Joe Biden Victory Center in Tallahassee.
Alongside Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and local leaders, he called on voters to hit the polls and spoke of the importance of a Biden presidency.
Election Day in Nov. 3.
2 comments
S B ANTHONY
October 7, 2020 at 6:25 pm
“I don’t think he really cares about helping the American people.”
Really? You don’t think? How much more utter destruction would it take for you to be sure?
LINDIESUE
October 8, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Nancy has refused, for months now, to a stimulus bill that pertains only to helping folks who have lost jobs, can’t pay bills, need paycheck security for those who are working, unemployment benefits, help for states based on the $ lost due only to COVID, etc. For months, she has refused to remove from the fill $ to bail out blue state pension funds that failed prior to COVID due to progressive policies. She refuses to remove her request for $1,200 stimulus checks for illegal immigrants. She wants to pay full healthcare for illegal immigrants. And on and on. The Pres. wants to do stand alone bills for the airlines, small businesses, stimulus checks of 1,200 again, unemployment benefits, helping folks by extending rent and mortgage waivers, etc. The problem is folks refuse to search for the facts and truth on all of this.
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