Stimulus Talks "Are Stalled Out" After House Democrats Unveil $2.5 Trillion Counterproposal
Update (1805ET): Politico's John Bresnehan reports that Senator John Thune said stimulus talks “are stalled out.”
Thune added:
“My sense is we’re not making a whole lot of progress today & we’re back tomorrow.”
Additionally, leaving Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office, Sens. Chuck Grassley and John Cornyn said that they didn’t think there would be a vote tonight.
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Update (1630ET): The new Democrat counterproposal will equate to nearly $2.5 trillion, including a $1,500 direct payment to citizens.
It will include $150 billion in healthcare funding, $80 billion in loans, and $600 per week in unemployment benefits for those affected by the virus. $215 billion will be allocated for state and local funds.
*US Democrats new bill proposal reportedly equates to USD 2.5trln: USD 1,500 direct payment to citizens, USD 150bln health care appropriations (plus USD 80bln loans), USD 600/week unemployment benefit for virus-affected; USD 215bln state and local funds
— JE$US (@WallStJesus) March 23, 2020
Via Bloomberg:
• Includes $1.5k in aid per individual; as much as $7.5k for a family of 5
• Would create a temporary Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation of $600 a week for any worker affected by the virus and eligible for unemployment compensation benefits
• Would expand paid leave and family medical leave
• Aims to help current borrowers with student debt
• Seeks more than $500b in grants, interest-free loans to small businesses
• Would provide $200b in funding for states; $15b to local govts through the Community Development Block Grant program
• Calls to ensure states can carry out this year’s election with $4b in grant funding; includes national requirement for both 15 days of early voting and absentee vote-by-mail
NEW -- summary of House Phase 3 proposal circulated by Democrats. Still no legislative text.
-$1,500 rebate per individual
-$150B health care approps, plus $80B loans
-$600/wk unempl benefit for covid-affected
-$215B state/local stab funds
-nat'l vote by mail pic.twitter.com/GLaJwfqVj9
— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) March 23, 2020
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Update (1535ET): House Democrats have published their counterproposal to the Senate coronavirus relief bill, which include the following provisions (among other things):
But wait! There's more:
-Pay Equity
-Funding for community newspapers
-Free internet
-$100,000,000 for NASA's environmental restoration group?
-Mandatory paid sick leave for every single business
-hiding the citizenship status of College Students from the Census Bureau
— Alec Sears (@alec_sears) March 23, 2020
More:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/democrats-holding-covid-19-bill-hostage-over-unrelated-demands