A new poll shows that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s position that “the bankruptcy route” should be “an option” for states and cities during the coronavirus pandemic is deeply unpopular among voters across party lines. Nearly three out of four Americans think the federal government should provide assistance to cash-strapped state and local governments, including 72% of independents.
McConnell’s stance has sparked concerns from economic experts that it would cause a “prolonged depression” and has earned broad and bipartisan backlash — but not from Senate Republicans. Unpopular North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said last week that he’s “aligned” with McConnell on the bankruptcy issue. Unelected Senator Martha McSally of Arizona has twice declined to oppose McConnell’s stance, while Senators Cory Gardner and Steve Daines also refused to comment on the need for federal aid and the idea of pushing struggling states into bankruptcy.
“Mitch McConnell’s out-of-touch position that state and local governments should go bankrupt while repeatedly blocking aid they need for essential services is proving to be a huge liability for vulnerable Republican incumbents,” said DSCC spokesperson Helen Kalla. “GOP senators are too spineless to break ranks with their party bosses, even if it means going against the vast majority of their constituents.”
Senate Republicans have repeatedly “resisted” additional funding for state and local governments and helped McConnell block a Democratic proposal to provide $150 billion more for state and local government and tribal relief in the most recent coronavirus package. Right now, states are still “scrambling to head off unprecedented fiscal calamity” and waiting on Republicans in Washington to act. Governors of both parties from across the country have called on Congress to send aid to prevent them from having to shut down essential services and lay off thousands of public employees, including local law enforcement and first responders.
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