Posted on 10/18/2020 3:45:28 AM PDT by RandFan
The Senate will vote on a $500 billion GOP coronavirus relief bill on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on Saturday.
The bill — which is less than a third of the size of the $1.8 trillion offer from the White House — will include a federal unemployment benefit and another round of small-business assistance under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The bill, according to McConnell, will also include more than $100 billion for schools as well as money for testing, contact tracing, and vaccine development and distribution.
McConnell will require Democratic help to get the 60 votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate. Democrats previously blocked a similar bill and are expected to do the same to the new GOP proposal.
“Nobody thinks this $500B+ proposal would resolve every problem forever. It would deliver huge amounts of additional help to workers and families right now while Washington keeps arguing over the rest,” McConnell said.
In addition to the $500 billion package, McConnell said the Senate will vote on Tuesday on a stand-alone PPP proposal. It would also need 60 votes to ultimately pass the Senate. Republicans had previously planned to hold a stand-alone PPP vote in August but scrapped it because of caucus infighting.
McConnell’s attempt to squeeze Democrats comes roughly two weeks before the Nov. 3 election. Republicans are increasingly playing defense and seeking distance from President Trump, who they worry could cost the Senate GOP its majority.
The decision to force a vote on the Republican proposal comes as the Senate GOP caucus and the White House have struggled to get on the same page on the size of a fifth coronavirus relief bill.
Senate Republicans unveiled a $1.1 trillion package in late July, but McConnell warned that up to 20 GOP senators could oppose it. It never came up for a vote.
Fifty-two of the 53 GOP senators agreed on a similar $500 billion bill in September that was blocked by Democrats.
Negotiations are ongoing between the administration and congressional Democrats on a larger package of between $1.8 trillion and $2.2 trillion. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are poised to speak again on Saturday evening.
McConnell, speaking in Kentucky this week, shot down the potential for a deal between $1.8 trillion and $2.2 trillion, underscoring the potential headache the administration faces in winning over Senate Republicans even if it is able to lock down a deal with Pelosi.
“I don’t think so. That’s where the administration is willing to go. My members think half a trillion dollars, highly targeted, is the best way to go," McConnell said, asked about the prospect of a deal totally between $1.8 trillion and $2.2 trillion.
McConnell softened those comments slightly on Saturday, saying the Senate would “consider” a deal reached between the White House and Democrats.
“If Speaker Pelosi ever lets the House reach a bipartisan agreement with the Administration, the Senate would of course consider it. But Americans need help now,” McConnell said.
At least this bill is aimed at the top legitimate priorities: U.S. businesses and unemployed American workers.
This is a total waste of time and effort, and doesn’t make the Pubs look good as it doesn’t contain the one thing that U.S. citizens most want, another $1200 stimulus check that they were promised. If McConnell somehow thinks this will redound to making the Pubs look good, he is sadly mistaken.
If his bill is stopped by the democrats, I hope he then allows the Pelosi-Trump deal to get a vote at least.
Shelling out money like that without any regard for need is hardly a serious priority.
McConnell has said any deal between Pelosi and Trump will not get a vote because half his senators are against it
I’d just roll with the $1.5T Problem Solvers Caucus bill at this point. It’s neither Nancy Pelosi’s demented wish list, nor is it McConnell’s anemic proposal. It’s also not as much as Trump’s latest misguided offering, either.
I agree at least its targeted.
Will be interesting to see how the Dems vote. If they block it then that could be a useful political message for Republicans just weeks before the election
Rand will vote Nay though! :)
“Why only $1,200? Make mine $12 million and I’ll be thrilled.
Shelling out money like that without any regard for need is hardly a serious priority.”
A promise was made and is not being kept whether you like it or not. This McConnell bill will not play and you know it. Besides which, you should be happy. It’s giving back to the people their own tax dollars confiscated by the federal gov’t to spend as they choose rather than how U.S. citizens choose to spend it. Have something against a tax cut, however it happens?
Longating the math, after Trump is back finishing the financial pearl handles of success watch the 401s kick in to max and a declined Natl debt
Who made that promise?
Besides which, you should be happy. It’s giving back to the people their own tax dollars confiscated by the federal gov’t to spend as they choose rather than how U.S. citizens choose to spend it. Have something against a tax cut, however it happens?
It wasn’t a tax cut. It was a cash payment to anyone who filed a tax return. You would have received a $1,200 payment even if you filed a tax return and paid $500 — or even $0 — for 2019.
“Who made that promise?”
Both sides of Congress and the President. Don’t follow the news much, do you.
“It wasn’t a tax cut.”
It’s money that citizens paid into the federal gov’t’s coffers. I want my $1200 back to spend as I wish, not as they wish. This stimulates the economy, and allows those that are in dire need to muddle through from the economic effects of the virus. Trump after he wins will re-stimulate the economy big-time and the economy is going to come roaring back. Glass half full here.
And it still will be mostly stolen and graft and kickbacks. People are fools
I will be awake tonight thinking about his vote.
The 401s might go up, but that aligns with the massive gov spending out there. The debt will not reduce unless there is a massive change in the entire system.
At this point, that isn't happening. Trump and crew were almost spending a extra Tril a year we don't have preCovid. There is no intention that Trump will reduce spending, there never was. The R's and D's are trying to bankrupt the country.
I agree. 1200 dollars or nothing. What a stupid move to keep that out. Republicans want to lose. Maybe they like being in the minority. Frustrating! The economy was helped big time during first round of checks.
I know President Trump has promised it. He promises a lot of things that he can't deliver.
I want my $1200 back to spend as I wish, not as they wish.
I don't want $1,200. I want $12 million. So there.
In defense of the Rs and Ds, the voters are trying to bankrupt the country.
Any elected official who promises fiscal responsibility will be voted out of office. Our system is set up like letting a drunk shop at a liquor store with someone else's credit card.
. I want $12 million. So there.
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You need a father who is better connected.
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