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Americans call for 'general strike' as Senate goes on 'vacation' with no Covid-19 deal while millions suffer

The US Senate is expected to be back on September 8 while the US House is expected to return by September 14, hinting that the next stimulus package is going to be weeks away
PUBLISHED AUG 14, 2020
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

To the dismay of Americans grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, the US Senate has been adjourned until September 8 without reaching a Covid-19 relief package. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell kept the chamber in session this week in last efforts to negotiate a much-awaited Covid-19 relief bill, which is the need of the hour given rampant health and economic crises in the US due to the pandemic. The US Senate is expected to be back on September 8 while the US House is expected to return by September 14, clearly hinting that the next stimulus package is going to be weeks away.

This has left millions of Americans distressed amid unemployment that has left them not only jobless but without the benefits that were earlier being provided from early days of the pandemic until July end when CARES Act expired without a replacement bill lined up. The relief package could not be materialized due to differences between Democrats and Republicans. As per The Week, the Democrats have argued the $600 weekly boost should continue while Republicans say it must be reduced and since then both sides have accused one another of refusing to compromise.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Democrats are willing to cut their proposed $3 trillion bill by $1 trillion if Republicans are ready to add $1 trillion to their $1 trillion bill. Since the news dropped, it has triggered anxiety and has been met with a rebellious attitude as Americans have decided to organize a general strike on the internet. They are bashing the Senate over adjourning the session without reaching a relief deal despite the looming crisis. People believe that corporations have started to own the US government and that it's time to unite together and protest given that the Senate and regime are both acting passive. Netizens are also thrusting a view that the Senate is perhaps on “vacation” while millions of Americans are suffering.
 
"Corporations own our government. People are going homeless during a pandemic, 45k people die a year because of a lack of healthcare, and we are in endless wars. Need any more reasons why we need a #GeneralStrike?" tweeted one enraged user. 



 

"The Senate is now on vacation while millions of Americans are suffering. Comment below with ‘General Strike’ so I can boost your account. It's time that we stand together and to demand real change!" another wrote.



 

The call for a strike is gaining momentum on the internet. "My number one priority right now is helping organize a ‘General Strike’. Everyone must get involved NOW," one tweeted calling to organize the strike. 



 

People cited examples for other protests that have brought about progressive changes in the past. "When Colombia had its first-ever national strike, it only worked because all the labor unions, indigenous nations, educators and students agreed to a common set of demands. Unless we get the same coalition it won't work."



 

Many demanded that some benefits should be given to the jobless population until the pandemic is over. People also asked for schools to stay shut amid the pandemic. "$2000 a month to everyone until the pandemic is over. No in-person schooling until it's truly safe. Rent forgiveness for all back rent due since March." 



 

Previously on August 10, POTUS Donald Trump signed four executive orders on Covid-19 amid an alleged lack of response from Congress. Trump’s orders centered around providing payroll tax holiday to Americans earning less than $100,000 per year, grants of $400 per week in unemployment benefits, loan relief and suspension of evictions.

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