Trump Doesn’t Have the Power to Make Additional Economic Relief Contingent on His Re-Election

President Trump is attempting to make an additional round of much-needed economic relief contingent on his winning another term in office. Fortunately, he doesn’t have that power.

But the effort is a disgraceful abdication of his and other Republicans’ responsibility to the people who elected them to serve. In March, lawmakers came together and passed the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion package that helped families stay afloat and prevented poverty from spiking. The bill was far from perfect (Congress should repeal its giveaway to millionaires, for example), but it demonstrated how government can work for ordinary people.

One round of stimulus isn’t enough, however. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday said the United States faces, “tragic risk.” “Too little support (for the economy) would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship,” he said.

This calls for a rapid, bold response. Yet the president is playing politics, shutting down negotiations one minute, changing his mind on Twitter the next, all the while giving no hint that he understands how people are struggling in our current economy. Millions remain unemployed or are involuntarily working part-time. Hundreds of thousands have dropped out of the workforce for a host of reasons, including having to balance distance learning for their children. Stalled economic activity will result in less state revenue, which could lead to a downward spiral of spending cuts and additional job losses.

The health costs are mounting. More than 210,000 have died and more than 7 million have contracted the illness, some who have recovered still face lingering adverse health effects.

The personal costs are incalculable. For some families already living on the financial edge, job loss means they can’t make their housing payments and must figure out how to put food on the table and pay for other essentials. For families who may be on firmer financial footing, time is still of the essence as their savings dwindle. Financially catching up after personal economic collapse often takes months, if not years.

We know that direct payments to individuals and families worked. We know that expanded unemployment insurance benefits helped people make ends meet. And we know that federal aid to states would help prevent deep budget and jobs cuts. In March, House Democrats passed the HEROES Act, a $3.4 trillion package that prioritizes families and communities, but the GOP-led Senate refused to act and continues to offer piecemeal compromises with a side of deficit hawk rhetoric. It’s important to note that they reserve restraint for spending that helps ordinary people — not tax cuts or favors for the rich.

It also bears mentioning that Trump and GOP Senators are moving full speed ahead with their intent to confirm Amy Coney Barrett, a controversial Supreme Court nominee whose record demonstrates hostility to the Affordable Care Act among other things. Access to health care and preventing health insurance companies from refusing to insure those with pre-existing conditions benefits tens of millions. Striking down this law at any time, let alone in the middle of a pandemic in which the president himself just received Cadillac — scratch that, Lamborghini — care at taxpayer expense would be nothing short of shameful.

By refusing to pass aid for struggling families now and prioritizing making his controversial mark on the Supreme Court, Trump is making it even clearer that his priority isn’t “forgotten men and women” or the middle class as he often claims.

Elected officials should do the right thing now and reenter negotiations, not to win or lose, but to agree on policies that will help immediately help families and communities.

This election season, voters have an opportunity to choose leaders who want to be serious about that hard work. Whether it is his intent or not, Trump is making that choice clearer for voters.