Mcconnell pushes relief bill
Slimmed-down Republican version could get vote this week
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell said Tuesday he would push for a vote as early as this week on a slimmed-down coronavirus stimulus bill, though the legislation lacks GOP consensus and is opposed by Democrats.
Mcconnell unveiled a $1 trillion proposal earlier this year, but bickering within the Republican caucus about the debt and spending for some items blocked it from becoming a bill. The Senate left for its August recess without a vote.
House Democrats, White House and Trump administration officials, meanwhile, have failed to negotiate a consensus bill, one smaller than the $3 trillion coronavirus bill passed along mostly party lines in the lower chamber months ago.
Mcconnell is expected to introduce a bill smaller than his previous $1 trillion proposal, which would target schools, businesses and an unemployment insurance extension of roughly $300, which is half of the $600 a week
Democrats want extended to
January.
Democratic leaders said the Mcconnell bill is an attempt to help GOP senators in competitive elections despite Republican opposition over debt spending that has prevented earlier action.
Mcconnell blamed Democratic leaders for the pain to “help their political fortunes.”
“Congress can, should, and must do more to help. The Senate will vote, and the American people will be watching,” Mcconnell said in a statement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CAlif., said she is opposed to piecemeal relief legislation.
A Senate vote on the Mcconnell bill could come as early as this week. Republicans would need Democratic support to reach the 60 votes needed to cut off debate.
After that hurdle is overcome, if Republicans fall in line and pass the measure with 51 votes, it would need to be approved by the House.
The House does not return from recess until Monday.
Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, both of Nevada, have called on Mcconnell to take up the House-passed legislation, which would provide aid to states, cities, schools, hospitals, tribal governments, nutrition programs, the unemployed and businesses.
The state’s House delegation voted along party lines on the $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill, with Democrats Dina Titus, Susie Lee and Steven Horsford voting for the bill and Republican Mark Amodei joining the GOP caucus in opposition.
President Donald Trump has vowed to take executive action to provide relief, but administration officials, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, are at an impasse in talks with Pelosi on a consensus bill that could pass the House and Senate and be signed into law.