Senate Democrats stop GOP's "corporate bailout" one more time — can they hold firm?
SalonThis article originally appeared at Common Dreams. The procedural motion on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act — which one Senate Democrat derided as a "show vote" — failed by a margin of 49-46 with just one Democrat, Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama, joining Republicans in voting yes. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who was quick to blame House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the failed vote Sunday night, reacted angrily to the second consecutive procedural failure on Monday, accusing Democrats of "filibustering programs to keep people on the payroll." Senate Democrats — joining progressive advocacy groups, unions and others — have criticized the CARES Act as a business-friendly measure that would establish a $500 billion "slush fund" for big corporations while doing little to protect workers or provide much-needed economic relief to the public. "Republicans' priority is giving no-strings-attached bailouts to industry, and letting the virus spread by shortchanging healthcare providers and states," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tweeted following the vote Monday.