[OutsiderFan]

Just so we're clear. You're in favor of ransoming hundreds of millions of suffering people to push an agenda.

Nobody is ransoming anything.  This is part and parcel of the legislative process, and roughly what you would expect when congress is divided.  Republicans won't (and shouldn't) roll over for Pelosi's House bill and likewise you shouldn't expect Democrats to roll over for McConnell's bill.  The final bill will contain the elements both sides agree on, and probably a few elements that each side didn't want, but I expect it will pass.

BC

This is exactly correct. Dems didn't block anything. They simply voted against a bill they didn't like, just like I would presume Repubs will vote against the House bill if they don't like it. The difference is the House can pass a bill and the Senate can't. That's nobody's fault other than whoever is leading the Senate.

[OutsiderFan]

Just so we're clear. You're in favor of ransoming hundreds of millions of suffering people to push an agenda.

Nobody is ransoming anything.  This is part and parcel of the legislative process, and roughly what you would expect when congress is divided.  Republicans won't (and shouldn't) roll over for Pelosi's House bill and likewise you shouldn't expect Democrats to roll over for McConnell's bill.  The final bill will contain the elements both sides agree on, and probably a few elements that each side didn't want, but I expect it will pass.

BC

This is exactly correct. Dems didn't block anything. They simply voted against a bill they didn't like, just like I would presume Repubs will vote against the House bill if they don't like it. The difference is the House can pass a bill and the Senate can't. That's nobody's fault other than whoever is leading the Senate.