Seth Meyers: A Closer Look at Republican opposition to COVID relief bill

President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill passed the Senate over the weekend despite zero Republican support. To understand why the GOP was opposed to the legislation, Seth Meyers took “A Closer Look” last night on Late Night.

The bill is now in the House where it is expected to pass. Once it becomes law, Americans will receive $1,400 stimulus checks while the bill also includes expanded unemployment benefits, rental assistance, and COVID-19 vaccination funds.

It was a 50-49 vote in the Senate with no Republicans joining Democrats in passing the bill. Some were quick to point out how Democrats supported former President Donald Trump’s relief bill yet no one from the GOP was willing to back President Biden.

That was the jumping-off point for Seth Meyers and “A Closer Look” last night. The Late Night host once again questioned Republican priorities in the face of a nationwide crisis.

Seth Meyers and A Closer Look rips American political culture

Seth Meyers was hoping Republicans would be as focused on rescuing Americans as they were on feigning outrage over Dr. Seuss books and The Muppet Show or trying to make voting more difficult. But in the era of culture wars, Meyers thinks that conservatives have misplaced their priorities.

One of the best examples that Meyers points out is from Senator Ted Cruz. It can’t be overstated just how much late night TV has it out for Cruz right now. In fairness, the Texas Senator isn’t doing himself any favors. His claims that stimulus checks would go to illegal aliens gave Meyers more evidence for his argument on GOP fear-mongering and misinformation efforts.

Meanwhile, the Late Night host applauds Democrats for working on a relief bill during the pandemic. Meyers and “A Closer Look” documented the failures of the past administration so it was a welcomed sight to see President Biden leading the charge on helping as many Americans as possible.

“A Closer Look” makes it clear that President Biden’s bill isn’t perfect. Unemployment benefits and minimum wage increases aren’t quite at the level many hoped they would. But it’s move in the right direction, even if half of the lawmakers aren’t willing to go that way. Meyers sums it up like this:

"This is a flawed but really good bill that delivers desperately needed help to the people who need it the most, on a scale that’s necessary to make an actual difference in the economy and in people’s lives. And that of course means Republicans did everything they could to derail it with [expletive]."

What did you think about this installment of “A Closer Look”? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Keep checking Last Night On for more from Late Night with Seth Meyers.