Mike Levin: “I beg to differ with the chairman. This matter started on the wrong foot. If they expect a bipartisan product, start on…”

“I beg to differ with the chairman. This matter started on the wrong foot. If they expect a bipartisan product, start on a bipartisan basis in the House of Representatives. They did not do that. Instead, they put together a bill on a strictly partisan basis. They put together a bill that was heavily taxed, had a slender amount of attention to unemployment comp and health insurance, and then they say it is the Senate's fault. I beg to differ. The President endorsed the strategy that they adopted; and now they are bearing the fruits, the bitter fruits of a flawed strategy. If Members want a bipartisan bill, start on a bipartisan basis in the House of Representatives. They have not done that. So now they come back with a bill that they say is better than the terrible bill, they do not say terrible, but better than the bill that they passed here loaded with tax breaks for the few and gave crumbs to the many who were unemployed, and they parade this as something that is very strong. Health insurance under their bill, for most, they have to be drawing unemployment comp to get any help with health insurance. Two-thirds of the people in this country who are laid off do not get unemployment compensation. They talk about $37 billion. Many of those billions of dollars in unemployment comp are Reed Act monies. They have been told, do not count $9 billion, because at the most a few billion will be used in the first year.”