Much has been made about the fact that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has decided to keep Congress in session to get some form of coronavirus stimulus bill passed.
This is rather shocking given that we are less than 50 days from a general election and most members would rather be in their districts running for reelection and not in Washington D.C. slogging it out.
One of Alabama’s U.S. Representatives, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) appeared on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show” on Wednesday and opined that this is just a game by Pelosi to make it appear like her members are working and that they are willing to compromise when there really doesn’t seem to be any compromise in the making.
Republicans offered up a “skinny” bill that would have spent $500 billion dollars in targeted aid, while Democrats seem to have been steadfast in their desire to spend six-times that on their proposals.
The idea that more spending will create a bill that can garner more support in the U.S. Senate seems unlikely. Remember, they basically had a party-line vote on the “skinny” bill, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) being the exception.
Aderholt appears to believe that the pressure is mounting on Pelosi.
“I think it is a sign that she is hearing from her members and from across the country that she needs to move forward and try to do some kind of stimulus relief where it makes sense,” Aderholt advised.
But he also believes this seems unlikely and that this is mostly theater.
Aderholt suggested that “staying in Washington” doesn’t mean what most people believe it does. He believes that Pelosi is “playing with words a little because we can be in session and not voting.”
“[W]e could actually be voting one day a week and still be in session,” he added.
This doesn’t seem to be a recipe for success for a new stimulus bill, Aderholt says.
“Most Democrats want to see a tremendous amount and they’re not willing, I don’t think, to go there,” Aderholt stated, adding that it seems unlikely anything gets done on this matter before the election.
My takeaway:
Maybe Nancy Pelosi is trying to keep her caucus in D.C. and off the campaign trail?
They can’t say ridiculous things and support insane policies if they are trapped in the halls of Congress.
The more Democrats talk about the shutdowns, the police, taxes and more, the more it becomes apparent that they are representing a fringe element that many Americans don’t agree with, and it becomes less likely they expand their power.
Remember, Joe Biden seems to be hiding in his basement for fear of making any gaffes, so maybe the speaker is trying to keep Democrats in the House in Washington, D.C. for the same reason.
Listen:
Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.