Theanswerisbecausewearelivinginthemostdifficultmomentinthemodernhistoryofthiscountryandarguablyeven a moredifficultmomentintheGreatDepressionofthe 19 thirties.
Thatmeasurefellfarshortofthe 60 votesneededandwasthefirstandwhatisexpectedtobe a lengthyseriesofamendmentsonthebillthatcouldextendintotheweekend, accordingto a Democraticcongressionalaide.
LiberalandmoderateDemocratsdidstrike a billtoofferanamendmentthatwouldscalebackfederalunemploymentbenefitsinthecovidbillto $300 perweek, downfromtheproposed $400 a compromisemadetoextendcoverage.
Therelieflegislationincludesfundingforvaccinesandmedicalsupplies, extendsjoblessassistanceandprovides a newroundofemergencyfinancialaidtohouseholds, smallbusinessesandstateandlocalgovernments.