In recent days, weeks and months, the United States along with the rest of the world has taken action to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The policies that have been implemented in states around the country have resulted in schools and businesses being closed, jobs being lost and travel being restricted. These measures have taken a toll on the economy and have placed the financial health of millions in jeopardy. This turn of events led Congress to pass the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The Senate passed the bill with 96 votes in favor and 0 against. Four Republicans (including Kentucky’s Sen. Rand Paul, who had previously announced on Twitter that he tested positive for the virus) did not vote. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill with a voice vote, despite objections from Thomas Massie, a Republican representing Kentucky’s fourth Congressional District. While well-intentioned (like many ideas that are debated within government), the bailout package authorized by the CARES Act is full of corporate welfare and wasteful spending not relevant to the virus. It is also further evidence that few people care about fiscal responsibility in government.
One could make a reasonable argument that ordinary American families need some help in this time of crisis; however, this legislation is not centered on helping citizens. The package costs the taxpayers more than $2 trillion, but only $290 billion of that is set aside for one-time payments to Americans, according to The Washington Post. Another $260 billion is designated for expanded unemployment benefits.
While members of Congress will justify their support of the bill by these programs (about $550 billion total), this leaves the vast majority of the $2 trillion to businesses and corporations through various bailout schemes. If Congress was truly focused on citizens and their families, it would have passed a much smaller package that gave the majority of funds directly to Americans. Instead, the CARES Act lines the pockets of corporate entities at the expense of the taxpayer.
Beyond corporate welfare, the CARES Act funds numerous pet projects, which don’t have relevance to COVID-19 but are supported by Congressional leaders. One of these provisions included $25 million for the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. This example is exceptionally prominent, considering they stopped paying the salaries of musicians employed in the National Symphony Orchestra, according to The Daily Caller. Other examples of non-relevant spending include $90 million in additional funding to the Peace Corp, $13 million for Howard University, $300 million for Migrant and Refugee Assistance, $1 billion for the Airlines Recycle and Save Program, and $315 million for State Department diplomatic programs. If Congress wanted to fund these programs, they should have voted on them separately rather than ramming them through in an emergency bailout package.
Finally, the United States cannot afford to continue to add to the national debt. According to debtclock.com, the U.S. national debt is approaching $24 trillion. This number doesn’t even include the over $135 trillion in unfunded liabilities on the books. This money will need to be paid back at some point, and congressional leaders are putting a more significant burden on future generations to handle their current spending sprees. An additional $2 trillion makes that burden a whole lot harder to manage.
While it is undeniable that many American citizens need help through this crisis, the CARES Act is not the correct path to addressing emerging problems. Instead of focusing on ordinary people, the legislation spends hundreds of billions of dollars on corporate welfare and political pet projects. Voters should hold their representatives accountable for their exploitation of the virus and wasteful spending habits.
