Posted on 02/26/2020 8:44:58 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Senate Democrats plan to seek $8.5 billion in new federal funding to battle the coronavirus outbreak after condemning President Trump’s $2.5 billion request as inadequate.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer “is preparing a detailed Senate request” for the money, a top aide told the Washington Examiner.
“Expect Schumer’s request to be finalized this morning and sent to appropriators,” the aide said.
Democrats on Tuesday dismissed the Trump administration's $2.5 billion emergency funding request as far too low to prepare the nation to combat the virus in an adequate manner, given its spread in several countries. Democrats point out Congress appropriated $7 billion to battle the spread of the H1N1 virus 11 years ago.
Congress is preparing to take up the supplemental spending measure soon, but the final number will have to be negotiated between Democrats and Republicans in both chambers.
The House, run by Democrats, has not yet proposed a spending figure and is likely to take up the legislation first, as is customary.
Senate Republicans on Tuesday agreed with Democrats that Trump’s request may be too low.
Sen. Richard Shelby, an Alabama Republican and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said health officials would “need more money” than the funding requested by the administration.
Shelby said no amount has been decided but said Congress “would more than adequately fund it, because we cannot make a mistake.”
Lawmakers said they expect Congress to act quickly to approve the money.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
Throwing money at the Wuhan Flu kills the germs.
He’s already mapped out how he can rake in a hefty profit on this.
Trump should take the 8.5, use 2.5 for his original request and take the extra $6B to build the wall - and watch little Chucky Schumer’s head explode....
Did they happen to mention which of their friends would receive the 8.5 billion?
Obvious as night and day, every death of a person with the flu with be Bush’s fault. Oh, I mean Trump...
For Chuck U, its always how much money you throw at a problem.
I knew it would all work out marvelously once our elected officials got involved.
His campaign donors need that extra $6B you must understand.
“Trump should take the 8.5, use 2.5 for his original request and take the extra $6B to build the wall - and watch little Chucky Schumer’s head explode....”
Set up border virus checks.. lol We are just making sure the virus does not get into the USA..
To bad the senate is currently in republican hands, eh shmucky?
Schmuckie grand standing and trying to claim Trump is taking it lightly. Just a predictable little bed bug.
It’s now a bidding war.
And yet Italy is spreading cases beyond her borders. As is Iran and ditto SK. We’re still allowing flights from those countries. How noble of us!
Likely mostly pork barrel.
Where’s Schmuckie going to get the ca$h?
He and other crooks want a nice big pile of money to steal from.
Never let a crisis go to waste.
Absolutely. The wall is an anti-epidemic measure.
Democrats point out Congress appropriated $7 billion to battle the spread of the H1N1 virus 11 years ago.
...
Was there ever an audit?
Yep - if they put it in his hands to dole out, he will show that tones of extra money doesn’t equate to a better outcome - and then he can leverage it when he actually has someone to campaign against....If he says it can be done with $2.5BN, I’d wager he has good reason to believe it can be done for that or maybe even a little less.
LOL
These guys are really good at stand-up.
Trump should agree to 8.5 Billion and then in a couple of months divert half of it to the border wall..... to help keep infected people out.
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