Senate’s virus relief bill fails

Democrats, Republicans at odds over size of legislation

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats scuttled a scaled-back GOP coronavirus rescue package on Thursday as the parties argued to a standstill over the size and scope of the aid, likely ending hopes for coronavirus relief before the November election.

The mostly party-line vote capped weeks of wrangling that gave way to election-season political combat and name-calling over a fifth relief bill that all sides say they want but are unable to deliver. The bipartisan spirit that powered earlier aid measures is all but gone.

Democrats said the measure shortchanged too many pressing needs. Republicans argued it was targeted to areas of widespread agreement, but the 52-47 vote fell short of what was needed to overcome a filibuster.

All of the present Democrats opposed it, and conservative Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY., cast the only GOP “nay” vote. The Democratic vice presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, was campaigning in Miami and missed the vote.

“It’s a sort of a dead-end street, and very unfortunate,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-kan. “But it is what it is.”

The $650 billion measure is smaller than legislation promoted by Republican leaders this summer. But that version was too big for most conservatives, so the GOP bill was stripped back to focus on school aid, jobless benefits and help for small businesses.

That maximized Republican support even as it alienated Democrats, who say such a piecemeal approach would leave out too many vulnerable people.

The result was a predictable impasse and partisan tit-for-tat as the congressional session limps to its pre-election close.

It’s becoming plain that all Congress will do before the Nov. 3 election is pass legislation to avert a government shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., predicted that Thursday’s GOP defeat would prompt Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., back to the negotiating table.

Mcconnell blasted Democrats on Thursday, saying they are still pushing a liberal wish list and are willing to scuttle provisions with widespread backing to deny Trump a victory.

“Today every senator will either say they want to send families the relief we can agree to or they can send families nothing,” Mcconnell said.