The Misadventures of Moscow Mitch: KDP: ICYMI: McConnell’s Delay of Pandemic Relief Costs Kentuckians

By KENNY COLSTON

Kentucky Democratic Party

Frankfort, KY — While more than 145,000 Kentuckians currently unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic are seeing an end to federal assistance, Mitch McConnell decided to take a nice, relaxing weekend at home rather than stay in D.C. and extend federal help. 

His message for struggling Kentuckians: he hopes to help in maybe a “few weeks.”

This is the just the latest tone-deaf message from McConnell. In March, McConnell said he thought states should go bankrupt. In May, when the U.S. House passed another round of relief, McConnell said he’d rather “pause.”

Now, McConnell takes a nice weekend break instead of working to pass relief. He’s leaving Kentuckians in the lurch while deadlines end this weekend, but he doesn’t seem to care. 

Here’s what they are saying about Mitch’s missteps:

• “Several Republican senators left the Capitol for the week saying they had received no update on the timing of the forthcoming package.” -- The Hill

• "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell waited until a key component of U.S. coronavirus aid was about to expire before drafting the Republican version of the next major relief bill, a decision that is increasingly looking like a significant miscalculation." -- Bloomberg News

• “Your benefits will be significantly cut next week and Senator McConnell doesn’t give a damn.” -- House Budget Chair John Yarmuth

In a statement, Kentucky Democratic Party spokesperson Marisa McNee said this gives further reason for Kentuckians to vote for new leadership this November. 

“Kentuckians are hurting. They need real leadership, not someone who puts politics above their economic well-being in the middle of a dangerous situation or takes weekends off during a pandemic,” McNee said. “Kentucky deserves a real leader like Amy McGrath who will fight for them every day, not just when it’s convenient.”