Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) have introduced a bill to provide Americans with $2000 a month, retroactive to March, to help struggling families stay afloat during the economic disruption wrought by the pandemic.
But another politician disagrees.
Ted Cruz (R-TX) called out the proposal, joking that we should give everyone $1 million a day forever from our "magic money tree." He also suggested we give people three soy lattes and a foot massage.
The proposal can be debated for its efficacy and cost, but it's a very real attempt to try to alleviate the issue facing the nation.
So Markey shot back.
It's not a goddamn joke Ted. Millions of families are facing hunger, the threat of eviction, and the loss of their… https://t.co/1TKbvNh6hX— Ed Markey (@Ed Markey)1597076458.0
The conversation surrounding the bill didn't remain between the two senators either. Cruz, who is no stranger to drawing the ire of the internet, once again became the butt of jokes.
Specifically, many called him out for criticizing the bill for its cost when he's voted on much more expensive pieces of legislation.
Some even connect it to his donors for reelection.
Ted Cruz voted to pass a $740,000,000,000 military budget two weeks ago. That's $2 billion a day, every day. https://t.co/ZIT6Pt2unF— Public Citizen (@Public Citizen)1597081805.0
The irony is the 2017 GOP $1.7T tax cut literally gave ~$1M a day, every day, forever—to America's 465 wealthiest b… https://t.co/8gBs6WfWQC— Qasim Rashid for Congress (@Qasim Rashid for Congress)1597089158.0
Sen @TedCruz & I don’t agree on much, but he IS right about this. There actually IS a money tree. It’s a magical mo… https://t.co/AwH7is0GMV— Ali Velshi (@Ali Velshi)1597084703.0
Cruz and other Tea Party members have been very vocal in their criticism of government spending in other areas. They even bucked their own party, criticizing the CARES act for the cost.
Despite this, Cruz did eventually vote to pass the bill.
The conversation over the bill didn't remain between senators. Others online soon joined in, making fun of Cruz's inept attempt to criticize the bill.
It would seem many online do not care for Ted Cruz.
@tedcruz Nobody who knows you likes you. And most people who don’t know you don’t like you, either. You’re not hate… https://t.co/rV6ICVvkyk— Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson)1597097499.0
@walnutt_824 @MaraWilson @tedcruz https://t.co/hb2sIY3PC5— Tinfoil Fedora (@Tinfoil Fedora)1597099970.0
Just so we're clear, a sitting senator is making light of the fact that millions of Americans are at risk of going… https://t.co/Pj4rX4rq1s— Robert Reich (@Robert Reich)1597095869.0
Congress is still trying to find another solution to the help struggling Americans. The House of Representatives has passed their own take on the next relief package, but discussions with the Republican held Senate haven't moved forward.
Whether or not another relief bill gets passed remains to be seen. For now, people should try to help each other as much as they can.