JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon sharply condemned lawmakers over the deadlocked negotiations on the next coronavirus relief package in a Tuesday interview with New York Times and CNBC journalist Andrew Sorkin.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Dimon said while discussing competing relief bills put forward by Republicans and Democrats. “I mean just split the baby and move on. This is childish behavior on the part of our politicians. We need to help the citizens of America.”
Dimon said he’s spoken with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in the past regarding another COVID-19 stimulus package, which Congress has been in back-and-forth discussion over since major elements of a previous relief bill expired in July.
The Democratic-controlled House has passed multiple coronavirus aid packages since the last was signed by President Trump in the spring, but Republicans in the Senate have rejected their steep price tags.
“There is a big part of our country that is really struggling,” Dimon said, noting the ongoing effects of the pandemic on small businesses and individuals who are out of work.
Dimon said that while there are logical and fair arguments on both sides, the two parties need to focus on what’s best for the county instead of on winning.
“It has zero to do with Democrats and Republicans. It’s got to do with helping those people get through the toughest part of COVID, and we’re not through it yet,” he said.
“Helping there will help the economy,” he continued. “And it helps a lot of people from severe suffering.”
A study by the Century Foundation recently found that 12 million people would lose federal benefits in December if Congress does not agree to a new stimulus package. According to a new Hill-HarrisX poll, 77 percent of registered voters in the 2020 election believe a new federal relief bill should be passed as soon as possible.