Not even a day after the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the political squabbling started. The president tweeted that Republicans have an obligation to move forward with the selection of a new Supreme Court Justice without delay. Despite what Trump says, senators do not have an obligation to rush the arduous process of a lifetime appointment before Nov. 3.
Senators do, however, have a pressing moral obligation to pass a COVID-19 relief bill desperately needed by Americans reeling from the pandemic. The “skinny” bill senators recently proposed lacked necessary emergency measures to protect their most vulnerable constituents. The Senate should quickly pass a package including a 15% increase for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), plus $100 billion in rental and mortgage assistance. Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee should remember that this is the urgent business we need them to take care of immediately.
Cynthia Changyit Levin
St. Louis, Missouri