Last Updated on March 23, 2020
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s 1,119 page coronavirus stimulus proposal includes a vast amount of hidden, nakedly partisan political provisions and regulations that are unrelated to family and small business relief.
Several sharp-eyed social media users who had the fortitude to browse through the massive bill found bizarre provisions, including writer Rachel Bovard.
“Pelosi’s #COVID19 bill is 1,119 pages and contains provisions for “conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections” so yeah it’s really very focused on the crisis at hand,” Bovard said in a thread that compiled screenshots of various provisions in the bill.
https://twitter.com/rachelbovard/status/1242116258834845710
After proposing a bailout for the postal service, the Democratic bill includes sections about paid studies of “pay equity” between “racial and ethnic minorities” and their “white counterparts,” as well as a “comparison of pay between and women for similar roles and assignments.”
“Corporate board diversity” is another bizarre demand in the bill., which seeks to collect “Corporate board data, including total number of board members, gender, race, and ethnic identity of board members.”
Also, guys, let's maybe focus on restricting stock buybacks and executive compensation with taxpayer loans and save the woke-scolding for later? pic.twitter.com/6iv0TKbbwU
— Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) March 23, 2020
Provisions for early voting and same-day voter registration, which have been partisan talking points for the Democratic Party for decades, are also included in the bill.
Same day voter registration, a long-time Dem wishlist item, very relevant to addressing those businesses and working families about to go under from #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/KizGbEYq9O
— Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) March 23, 2020
Several of the most ludicrous proposals are located near the end, including demands that airlines “provide passengers with information regarding greenhouse gas emissions resulting from each individual flight.”
“You know what families who can’t work and are struggling to make rent really care about? Being able to look up greenhouse gas emissions from the flights they can’t afford to book,” Bovard said.
You know what families who can't work and are struggling to make rent really care about?
Being able to look up greenhouse gas emissions from the flights they can't afford to book. pic.twitter.com/klGOhE8uOM
— Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) March 23, 2020
Finally, the proposal includes retirement security for journalists and bailout for local newspapers, many which already charge readers a substantial monthly fee to read articles.
I, too, care for community journalism.
But right now none of them have jobs because of #COVID19 so maybe this isn't the time to modify their retirement plans. pic.twitter.com/fK0OO9VqVQ
— Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) March 23, 2020
Democrats in the Senate have already refused to pass a coronavirus aid package that would provide cash relief to working families and small businesses.
