Demings slams GOP coronavirus relief bill: Americans ‘deserve more than the crumbs from the table’

Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) criticized a Republican-backed coronavirus stimulus bill on Sunday after Senate Democrats blocked the GOP legislation amid a stalemate between the parties. 

“We need to pass a meaningful bill. If the GOP is interested in helping American families the HEROES Act is sitting right there,” Demings said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” referring to the Democratic-backed coronavirus relief bill the House passed. 

CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Demings if it is better to compromise on a bill to give Americans some form of relief, noting that Democrats only control the House, not the Senate or White House. 

“Isn’t something better than nothing? That’s what the American people have now, nothing,” Tapper said. 

“The American people deserve more than the crumbs from the table,” Demings responded, adding that Democratic leadership has been negotiating for weeks. 

“There has been movement on our side, Republicans, quite frankly, have been ridiculous in their negotiations,” Demings added. “It must be nice to maybe not know the feeling of having to struggle to make ends meet. I talk to people every day in our district doing just that.”

Demings said Democrats will continue to push a relief package that is “meaningful to these families that are struggling.”

Senate Democrats blocked a GOP coronavirus relief bill last Thursday, with a 52-47 vote on the $500 billion measure. It was the first coronavirus-related legislation the chamber has voted on since it passed  $484 billion package in April.