Less than a week after Senator Susan Collins faced intense scrutiny in Maine for failing to “get serious” on a coronavirus aid deal, Mitch McConnell just announced that the Senate will adjourn until September 8th, despite the fact that there has been no progress on the next round of federal coronavirus aid.
Urgent federal action is needed to ensure states and municipalities can continue to provide essential services and schools can reopen safely. And with benefits already expired for millions of unemployed Americans, another month without more federal support could spell disaster for families struggling to make ends meet. But instead of negotiating in good faith to make a deal that will get Maine communities the support they need, Collins “retreated to her partisan corner” before leaving for a month-long vacation.
“It is inexcusable for Senator Collins and her Republican colleagues to adjourn the Senate with no progress on a deal when federal relief is so desperately needed,” said Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Lisa Roberts. “Without more federal support, communities across Maine will be forced to make devastating cuts to critical services in the middle of a pandemic, but Senator Collins is apparently more interested in playing politics and taking her vacation than fighting for the resources our state needs. Mainers deserve better, and we’re ready to send her packing this November.”
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