Congress Passes Free Coronavirus Testing-- Remember The Names of The 40 Extreme Right Republicans Who Balked

On Friday night, the NY Times Benjamin Mueller reported that UK prime minister Boris Johnson "once said his political hero was the mayor in the film Jaws, praising him for defying mass hysteria to keep the beaches open after a constituent is eaten by a shark. As the coronavirus now stampedes across Britain and much of the world, Mr. Johnson is heeding the same principle, spurning the mass closures that have become commonplace across Europe and gambling his political future on a more restrained approach. That strategy has startled some epidemiologists, drawn criticism from a former health secretary and political ally, and prompted angry demands that Mr. Johnson’s government reveal more of its reasoning." A few hours later... Mass gatherings to be banned as Boris Johnson makes coronavirus U-turn. No more concerts, no more sporting events, no more screenings of Jaws. "The Prime Minister decided to ban major events just 24 hours after insisting he would not be following Scotland’s lead in outlawing crowds of more than 500 people. It came after the Premier League had taken matters into its own hands by announcing the suspension of the football season until next month and the London Marathon was postponed until October by its organisers."

Events on the ground are moving more rapidly and more decisively than national leaders, who have largely become used to living with their heads up their asses. U.K. economics writer, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, noted, for example, that the financial aspects of the pandemic are likely to be far more than just a disruption. "Global asset markets," he wrote, "are priced for a light recession. They are not priced for a deep downturn, let alone a series of seismic aftershocks that expose the fragility of an international system with record debt ratios near 322 percent of GDP ($257 trillion). The United Nations’ economics arm said a toxic mix of asset price deflation and debt distress could now set off a ‘vicious downward spiral’ if world leaders fail to stem the contagion... The dramatic exodus of funds from emerging markets over recent days exceeds the worst capital flight of 2008 and is fast morphing into worldwide contagion, the top banking watchdog has warned. 'We worry a global that sudden stop in financing is beginning to emerge,' said the Institute of International Finance (IIF) in Washington. It warned that a multitude of shocks are combining with a commodity crash and mounting stress in the US bond and funding markets. The danger is a confluence of three crises erupting simultaneously and feeding on each other: a violent reversal of flows to emerging markets; a blow-up in the BBB and high-yield segments of the bond market; and a fresh "Club Med" funding crisis triggered by fears of a wrenching economic contraction in Italy."

Late last night (12:51 AM to be precise), the House voted on HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. It needed a 2/3 majority and it got it-- after Trump tweeted his approval-- 363-40. Who the hell were the 40, you ask? All fringe right extremists who would take great pleasure in watching their constituents die in the streets, walking freak shows like Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Jody Hice (R-GA), Tom Emmer (head of the NRCC-MN), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Gym Jordan (R-OH), Jason Smith (R-MO) and, obviously, Steve King (R-IA). Many more fringe-extremists would have voted against it but, like Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Mark Meadows (R-NC), John Ratcliffe (R-TX) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) they're in quarantine with coronavirus.

And speaking of Jason Smith, a self-loathing-- and humanity-loathing-- closet case from southeast Missouri where it meets Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, the progressive Democrat running against him this year, Kathy Ellis, sent out a statement a few hours after the vote that she's "disappointed, but not surprised, to see that Jason Smith voted against H.R. 6201, which provides paid emergency sick leave and free testing in light of the threat of Coronavirus. Since Smith was elected in 2013, he’s made it clear that he only works on behalf of his corporate donors, and his vote against working people today makes this even clearer. I’m running to give my District a fair shot of survival. Since Smith has taken office, we’ve seen five of our hospitals close, our local jobs leave, and our infrastructure crumble. We need someone who will protect working families across Missouri, and it’s clear that Smith isn’t up to the task. I’ve been a Social Worker for nearly 40 years, and I’ve spent my entire career working in support of working families. It’s time for new leadership in my District. Rep. Smith should be ashamed of his vote."

J.D. Scholten, also watched with dismay as his opponent, Steve King, voted against the bill. "COVID-19 has already taken the lives of 41 Americans," he said in a statement yesterday. "Due to the lack of widespread testing, thousands more could already be infected. Experts say 200,000 to 1.7 million Americans could die. This is not hyperbole or overreaction. We need to meet the weight and seriousness of this pandemic with the full force of our government’s resources. This is the time for unwavering support of our workers, kids, and families. Yet, Steve King cast a vote against this bipartisan legislation that would provide free COVID-19 testing, paid leave, expanded food benefits and unemployment insurance, and protections for front-line health care workers. This is a shameful, selfish, and entitled vote. Rural America, especially Iowa, faces unique vulnerabilities to this public health crisis. Our population is older, sicker, and poorer. More people are uninsured and under-insured and lack access to healthcare and paid leave. Our few and far between hospitals and clinics could easily be overwhelmed by a large volume of patients. Steve King’s vote is a slap in the face to every single Iowan as he enjoys paid leave, health insurance, access to healthcare, and a six figure salary without sitting on a single committee."

Trump tweeted this morning "Good teamwork between Republicans & Democrats as the House passes the big CoronaVirus Relief Bill. People really pulled together. Nice to see!" No word on the 40 who want to see death and destruction in his party or on McConnell's dangerous stalling tactics. Trump's mouthpiece in the House, Kevin McCarthy added, "I think this was a very good sign of bipartisanship and working together, that we can overcome this virus. We’ve done much bigger things before."

Ted Lieu, co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), sent out a statement to his constituents about what the bill is and what they can expect from it. Dozens of other Democrats followed Lieu's lead. This is what he sent out:

“I am pleased the House of Representatives passed the Family First Coronavirus Response Act, so that we can take another critical step to help Americans as we combat this deadly illness. To mitigate the harm of the coronavirus, we must ensure anyone who needs a test can get one at no cost. Additionally, American families and workers must have protections should they get sick or have to change their work arrangements because of the coronavirus. I’m pleased that this bill addresses those issues, in addition to others. We have to give our first responders the resources and support they need to save lives. Stopping the coronavirus requires all of us, regardless of party, to work together for the collective good. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill quickly so we can mitigate this deadly virus.”

The legislation includes:

• Free coronavirus testing
• Emergency paid leave
• Enhanced unemployment insurance
• Strengthened food security initiatives
• Increased federal funds for Medicaid 

McConnell adjourned the Senate before they could act on the bill and this morning he issued a statement saying he and his backward caucus "will need to carefully review" the bill, passed by the House and approved by Trump. "But I believe the vast majority of Senators in both parties will agree we should act swiftly to secure relief for American workers, families, and small businesses." Swiftly for a turtle is different for swiftly for a human.