Congress has repeatedly struggled to reach an agreement on stimulus packages to provide Americans with COVID-19 relief.
As more communities shut down their businesses and slap down stay-at-home orders, increasing numbers of Americans are in need of financial assistance. Just earlier this month, the Department of Labor reported that jobless claims skyrocketed beyond economists’ projections.
In Washington, some fiscal conservatives are making the argument that a new stimulus package from the federal government is not the answer. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) falls into this category and has offered an alternative that is actually quite popular among conservatives, per Newsmax.
Opening Up the U.S. Economy
While interviewing with America This Week, Paul argued that the most effective form of economic stimulation is to reopen the economy, rather than having the federal government send out more stimulus aid.
The Republican senator furthermore declared the reliance upon government to stimulate the economy as a “mistake.” Instead, Paul stated that reopening the economy is the best “long-lasting stimulus” plan for America.
My Government Shutdown Prevention Act would help ensure Congress starts hitting its deadlines, making it a more responsible steward of the American people’s resources. Read more here: https://t.co/7BgnD03IkJ
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 11, 2020
Before wrapping up with America This Week, the Kentucky Republican spoke about the implications of ongoing dependence upon government for economic stimulation. In doing so, Paul informed listeners that the U.S. borrowed $3 trillion dollars earlier in 2020 and has now racked up more than $27 trillion dollars in debt.
Partisan Divides on Reopening the Economy
Since the inception of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, conservative Americans have repeatedly warned of the damages. Thus far, 2020 has proven that shutdowns are directly tied to unemployment, harm to children’s education, surges in domestic violence, loss of jobs and businesses, increases in mental health issues, etc.
In spite of this, Democrats have backed shutdowns and continue doing so. Folks with leftist leanings also remain supportive of government stimulus packages; however, congressional negotiations remain stalled by Democrats’ work to include massive bailouts for liberal states and localities.
RT to agree —> Lockdowns destroy livelihoods.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) December 5, 2020
Numbers from the Labor Department document the direct link between shutdowns and rises in claims for unemployment benefits. This is why fiscal conservatives like Sen. Paul are warning that the federal government is not a bottomless pit of resources or a sustainable form of stimulation for the U.S. economy.
Do you think reopening the economy is the best way to provide stimulus to the American people? What do you make of this month’s information from the Department of Labor thus far? Let us know in the comments section below!
