Senate moves to vote on 'targeted' GOP coronavirus relief bill, though defeat appears inevitable
The Senate is moving to a vote Thursday on a pared-down GOP coronavirus relief bill, but Democrats intend to block the measure in a move that could punt any new economic stimulus negotiations until after the November elections.
Next steps following the vote expected around mid-day Thursday are unclear. There’s no sign that bipartisan talks that collapsed last month will be revived, and it’s looking possible that Congress will adjourn later this month without passing any new economic relief.
The bill advanced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) contains new money for small businesses, coronavirus testing and schools, and $300 weekly enhanced unemployment benefits to replace a $600 weekly benefit that expired July 31 for some 30 million jobless workers. The measure includes roughly $650 billion in total spending, but it would repurpose roughly $350 billion in previously approved spending, bringing the tally of new funding to around $300 billion.
The measure does not include a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks for individual Americans, even though that’s something the White House supports. It also excludes any new money for cities and states, a top Democratic priority as municipal governments face the prospect of mass layoffs because of plunging tax revenue. And it contains some conservative priorities that Democrats dismiss as unacceptable “poison pills,” including liability protections for businesses and a tax credit aimed at helping students attend private schools.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/senate-moves-to-vote-on-targeted-gop-coronavirus-relief-bill-though-defeat-appears-inevitable/ar-BB18TSWO?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=DELLDHP
Half assed is better than nothing so long as it helps my donors - Moscow Mitch
= new reply since forum marked as read
