“A catastrophe for millions of workers”: McConnell tries to block the extension of paid sick leave and family

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is reportedly hampering a Democratic effort to expand federal sick leave and family benefits that will expire by the end of the year, potentially eliminating health care assistance. key emergency of tens of millions of Americans and depriving nation of an effective tool in the fight against Covid-19.

Democratic lawmakers are seeking an extension of the $ 900 billion paid coronavirus relief package programs currently being negotiated, but Buzzfeed He reported Friday afternoon that McConnell is leading the Republican effort to ensure provisions expire.

“Democrats initially tried to expand the scope of the program and expand it,” Buzzfeed pointed out. “Those goals were reduced to simply expanding the program for a few more months because of Republican opposition, according to a Senate aide. Now Republicans, led by McConnell, are opposed to expanding the program altogether.” .

Approved in March as part of the Coronavirus Family Response Act (FFCRA), paid sick leave and family programs have helped prevent thousands of coronavirus cases a day despite their severe limitations; before the benefits were approved, Republicans made sure companies with 500 or more employees should not provide them to workers exposed or infected with Covid-19.

“Ms. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Author of an amendment,” has absolutely no reason or excuse for not extending the life-saving policy and the bipartisan permission that is already in the books. ” of paid leave for all U.S. employees and independent contractors, they said Buzzfeed.

Murray said “nothing less” than an extension of current benefits “would make absolutely no sense and would be a catastrophe for millions of workers who should not have to choose between their health or their wages.”