McConnell, Schumer Face Off on Stimulus as Senate Convenes
The U.S. Senate’s top Republican and Democrat faced off on Monday over the size of fiscal stimulus needed to support the economy, dimming any hopes for an immediate package as lawmakers reconvene following the election. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that Congress should pass a limited stimulus bill by year-end, in the wake of positive data on a slide in unemployment and after encouraging news on a Covid-19 vaccine.
“It turns out the news is a whole lot better” lately, McConnell said on the Senate floor. “I hope our Democratic colleagues will finally put aside their all-or-nothing obstruction and let the targeted pandemic relief -- targeted pandemic relief is what we need -- let it move forward.”
Senate Republicans have supported a $500 billion virus package (to businesses), without $1,200 stimulus checks for individuals or aid to states and local governments.
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer by contrast said Republicans “have proposed totally inadequate solutions” on Covid-19 relief. Schumer on the Senate floor called on Republicans to pursue a “bipartisan solution” rather than the stunts of recent months. House and Senate Democrats continue to push for a $2.4 trillion measure. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that a smaller bill “doesn’t appeal to me at all.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-09/mcconnell-calls-for-smaller-stimulus-after-pfizer-vaccine-data?srnd=politics-vp
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