Virus aid stalls in Senate; Pelosi decries it as “stunt”

Senators torpedoed quick passage of a new coronavirus aid package Thursday, with Democrats rejecting a Trump administration request for $250 billion to boost a small business payroll fund and Republicans refusing Democrats’ demand for another $250 billion for hospitals and states.

The standoff doesn’t end the pursuit of more rescue funds. Democrats and Republicans agree the aid is urgently needed, and talks continue. But it reinforces that Congress and the White House will need to find bipartisan agreement.

“Nobody thinks this will be the Senate’s last word on COVID-19,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “Let’s continue to work together, with speed and bipartisanship. We will get through this crisis together.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the Senate vote merely a stunt as the country faces an epic crisis. The Democrat ridiculed the administration for trying to jam a $250 billion request through Congress with only 48 hours notice.

“Really?” Pelosi said on a conference call with reporters.

The stall comes as communities across the nation strain to meet health care needs and salvage local economies pummeled by the crisis. A new jobless report shows a whopping 16.8 million Americans are now out of work.

With Congress all but shuttered — and unlikely to return April 20, as planned — lawmakers pledge to keep negotiating with the White House to provide fresh help, beyond the $2.2 trillion package passed last month.

In the brief Senate session, Democrats rejected President Donald Trump’s request for $250 billion to supplement a “paycheck protection” program for businesses crippled by the outbreak.

McConnell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin say the business program, which involves direct subsidies to companies to keep employees on payroll and pay company rent, is on track to deplete its first $350 billion infusion quickly as businesses rush to apply for the aid.

Democrats are not opposed to boosting the payroll fund, but Pelosi wants to ensure equity in lending to minority-owned businesses and others that may not have routine access to financial institutions.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., accused McConnell of trying to ram through legislation and detailed a variety of glitches in the program, including fears that many big lenders are not serving minority neighborhoods.

Democrats are pressing for half the White House request, or $125 billion, to be channeled through community-based financial institutions that serve farmers and family-, women-, minorityand veteran-owned small businesses and nonprofits in rural, tribal, suburban and urban communities.

They circulated a $500 billion plan that would include the Trump request and add $100 billion for hospitals and other health care providers and $150 billion to state and local governments, as well as a 15% boost in food stamp benefits.

They hope this serves as a basis for discussions with McConnell going forward.