Who Coronavirus
who coronavirus, If you go to the dictionary and look up the word “donnybrook,” you’ll see a picture of the internal fight waged between Congressional Republicans, over extending the payroll tax holiday in late 2011. This was a pitched, Christmastime battle royale. GOP fiscal hawks duked it out with fellow Republicans who wanted to trim taxes. And, it unfolded around the holidays because, as you know, only the zaniest worst-case scenarios unfold on Capitol Hill at Christmas. In other words, it’s hard to have it both ways: keep taxes low yet reduce deficit spending.
who coronavirus - So what are the politics with a possible stimulus measure for coronavirus? Some Republicans are close to pushing for action – but up to a point. Those same Republicans who balked at President Obama’s stimulus plan will likely excoriate Democrats who championed the one in 2009 – and vice versa. Still, some Congressional Republicans may be tentative to call for major action, worried it would send a message of desperation and undercut President Trump. The optics of this are going to be complicated. Congressional maneuvering sends a message that lawmakers are on the case. But it can also sound alarm.
who coronavirus, At his briefing this week, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) seemed cool to cutting taxes. “I don’t know that talking about additional tax cuts now, other than for political purposes, is what we ought to be focused on,” said Hoyer. “What we ought to be focused on is what is our medical response to this.” When pressed further, Hoyer introduced an additional factor which could complicate a stimulus: Obamacare. The Maryland Democrat argued that the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are still trying to undo Obamacare. The Supreme Court will soon hear yet another case to overturn Obamacare.
who coronavirus - “It is ironic,” said Hoyer “That the administration says it wants to fight a major health challenge that is keeping America healthy.” Democrats are concerned that persons with “junk” health insurance plans won’t stay home from work because if they fall ill they lack adequate coverage. That could spread coronavrius. So, there could be an opportunity for Republicans to finally undercut Obamacare and replace it with something else to help respond to coronavirus.
who coronavirus - Or…. It could mean that Republicans have to halt their attacks on Obamacare amid coronavirus and Obamacare expands far beyond its current form. Or…it could mean that coronavirus prompts a major recalibration of the American health care system. Public opinion - and the death toll - will play heavily in all of this. If people don’t think they have sufficient health care in the coronavirus era, other options could look good. That may not mean “Medicare for All.” But it may alter the GOP’s decade-plus crusade to repeal and replace Obamacare.