State lawmakers say virus aid package talks should resume
Rep. Tom Cole on Monday questioned the constitutionality and wisdom of President Donald Trump's executive orders to provide pandemic relief, while he and Sen. James Lankford urged congressional leaders to compromise on a coronavirus aid package.
“There are legitimate constitutional questions about some of President Trump's recent executive orders ,” Cole, R-Moore, said.
“And personally, I have doubts about the wisdom of sus pending the Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes on those Americans fortunate enough to have a job. But at least the president is using the powers of his office to lessen the suffering of the American people and sustain the current economic recovery."
Cole said Democrats had over played their hand in negotiations and were “willing to risk the well-being of the American people and the health of our struggling economy to achieve their political objectives.” He said Congress should act immediately on cash assistance to individuals and aid to schools.
With negotiations stalled over a new aid package, Trump on Saturday signed executive orders that the White House said would cut the amount taken from workers' checks
for Social Security and Medicare; increase unemployment benefits, with 75% to be paid by the federal government; prevent families from losing their homes; and provide student debt relief.
Some have questioned whether the president has the authority to take such actions unilaterally and whether some of the proposals were feasible, such as asking states to provide another $100 a week in unemployment benefits.
Lankford, a Republican, said Monday ,“I share President Trump' s frustration with the Democrats. They have demanded an ever-changing laundry list of new spending while trying to play the blame game.
“Congress should continue to work toward a targeted legislative solution in which we can include answers to issues raised by Oklahomans like clarity on PPP (paycheck protection program) forgiveness, liability protection, increased eligibility to help businesses and nonprofits in need, ensuring access to health care for our rural communities, and assistance to spur the economy to bounce back from the pandemic and help people transition back to work to provide for their families."
Democratic congressional leaders have criticized Trump's actions, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling them “meager,” and said Republicans should return to the negotiating table.
Rep. Kendra Horn, D-Oklahoma City, said Sunday that Trump's order to cut payroll taxes "robs Social Security and Medicare. It's dangerous and irresponsible. Congress needs to do its job and pass a bipartisan stimulus, and I'll keep fighting to include long-term budget reforms to save SS and Medicare.”
Horn voted in May against the Democratic bill, which would spend an estimated $3 trillion, because of provisions she said were extraneous.
Sen. Jim In ho fe, a Republican, said he was glad Trump“is doing what is necessary to help Oklahoma families now.”