Congress is currently considering passing a $1.9 trillion dollar “stimulus package.” Because many Republicans take issue with the bill, Democrats are considering using a mechanism called budget reconciliation to ram the bill through with a simple majority—allowing them to pass the bill on completely party lines.

Many Americans are suffering after the economic and social devastation from the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. But will this bill actually provide relief?

The House Budget GOP Committee recently released a graphic detailing how the funds in the proposed bill would be distributed:

Only 8 percent of this enormous expenditure would go towards combating the coronavirus. The Republican Whip’s office also recently exposed a few of the unnecessary funding provisions within the law:

These are not necessary stimulus funds to help the American economy; they’re a Leftist wish list.

Take, for example, the $350 billion in blue state bailouts listed in the graphic above. States shouldn’t receive funds as rewards for mismanagement. They should be challenged to fix their own budget deficits and become responsible for their actions, instead of forcing taxpayers across the country to foot the bill.

This $1.9 trillion package is reminiscent of the CARES Act, passed way back in March of last year. While the bill certainly provides for some necessary support of vital agencies and operations during the pandemic, it also includes a ridiculous amount of funding that has nothing to do with the pandemic (although each grant is technically to help the recipient “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus”):

  • $60,000,000 for NASA 
  • $75,000,000 for the Endowment for the Arts—because we’ve been able to enjoy so many artistic expressions during the pandemic. 
  • $75,000,000 for the National Endowment for the Humanities 
  • $25,000,000 for “Salaries and Expenses” for the House of Representatives 
  • $324,000,000 for State Department Diplomatic Programs 
  • $95,000,000 for “Operating Expenses” for the Agency of International Development 

The list goes on and on. Yes, the CARES Act did provide some important relief for Americans. But it also included an enormous amount of funding for other groups and organizations that could not possibly be connected to the coronavirus pandemic.

Unfortunately, this new bill being pushed by the Democrats and the Biden administration takes a similar, if not even worse, approach.

Pandemic stimulus and funding should be targeted, temporary, and flexible. Clearly many people continue to struggle, particularly small businesses as seen by the wild success of the Barstool Sports Fund. Congress should focus on helping those who need it most, not bailing out their allies and enforcing their wish list upon Americans who will have to foot the bill in the end.