West Virginia governor urges Congress to 'go big' on COVID-19 relief

[TomCADem]

Source: The Hill

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, on Monday argued that fiscal concerns should be set aside as the nation struggles to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, putting pressure on centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to support a large COVID-19 relief bill.

“We need to understand that trying to be, per se, fiscally responsible at this point in time, with what we’ve got going on in this country — if we actually throw away some money right now, so what?” Justice told CNN in an interview.

“We have really got to move and get people taken care of,” he said.

Justice doubled down on his statement in a follow-up interview with MSNBC in which he urged Congress to “go big.”



Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/536771-west-virginia-governor-urges-congress-to-go-big-on-covid-19-relief

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I think Biden/Harris can easily go bipartisan by responding to the demands of the more reasonable Republican Governors, rather than trying to deal with Congressional Republicans who are too busy trying to suck up to Trump and QAnon adherents. For example, I am sure that Larry Hogan and Ohio's governor who are actually concerned about their constituents unlike South Dakota's governor who is happy to let here constituents die, would welcome a big COVID relief bill.

[Akoto]

1. Good. We need support for this, whoever we can get. n/t

[msongs]

2. another red state conservative with his hand out when it's convenient. well it's better than

nothing one supposes.

[DeminPennswoods]

3. This will certainly help Manchin get on board

if nothing else.

[TomCADem]

4. Manchin, Like Many Senators, Probably Wants To Play Gatekeeper To Their State...

...it is not uncommon for there to be tension between a Governor and the State's Senators. Look at Rick Scott and DeSantis who repeatedly snipe at each other even though they are both right wingers. Likewise, look at how Georgia's Senators had issues with State Republican officials.

Yet, a President needs to be able to work directly with Governors, particularly on something involving federal aid to State and Local Governments.