This from the Miss. House Democratic Caucus…

 Today, the House passed HCR 65, a resolution to temporarily suspend and extend the 2020 Legislative Session, but attempts to make provisions for working-class Mississippians whose employment will be drastically affected by COVID-19 failed. House Minority Leader Robert Johnson, III introduced an amendment to HCR 65 that would have done the following:

1. Required the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to provide paid leave to any person who is unable to work because the person has been confirmed with COVID-19.

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   Required paid leave to a person whose employer has reduced his or her work hours in response to COVID-19 and such person is unpaid for leave.

Amendment 1 failed 43-73, and HCR 65 passed immediately following with a vote count of 82-38. A vote against HCR 65 would have forced the House leadership to consider adopting or negotiating on the amendment. Amendment 1 could have helped hundreds of thousands of working-class people who will bear the unnecessary financial burden because of COVID-19. However, eight Democrats defected and voted for HCR 65, helping Republicans to adjourn until April 1, 2020, instead of staying to provide relief for working-class people.