No virus bill yet: White House, GOP at odds over jobless aid

[left-of-center2012]

Negotiations over a new COVID-19 rescue bill were in flux Friday after the White House floated cutting an unemployment benefits to as little as $100 and President Donald Trump turned to a new priority, adding money to build a new FBI headquarters. The White House inserted new priorities — Trump’s preference for a new building to replace the FBI’s aging J. Edgar Hoover Building in downtown Washington,
across the street from the Trump hotel.

One sticking point for Republicans trying to resolve their differences with the White House is how to cut the $600 weekly jobless benefit boost that is expiring. Republicans largely believe the add-on, which had been approved in an earlier aid bill, is too much ... Under McConnell’s plan, senators proposed cutting it to $200 ... An administration official said the White House viewed the Senate GOP’s proposal as too “cumbersome” and the $200 as too high. A number of different solutions were being discussed, the official said Thursday, including dropping (it) to $100.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent senators home, promising a Republican proposal would be ready on Monday. Outraged Democrats warned that time was being wasted on GOP infighting as the virus worsens, jobless aid expires and the death toll rises.

“We call upon Leader McConnell to get serious,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in a statement. “This is disarray,” Pelosi said Friday at the Capitol.

https://apnews.com/4965723ba65a47582f384c185680a29c

[Thekaspervote]

1. The house will never accept the Romney amendment to the bill to cut SS and Medicare