The next coronavirus aid bill may be stalled until June with Congress polarized
The battle lines are hardening over Washington’s next legislative response to the coronavirus crisis, with top Democratic lawmakers calling for another big spending package while the leading Senate Republican is urging restraint — especially when it comes to more aid for state and local governments.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that she favors a “major package” of aid for state and local governments, as she spoke during a Bloomberg TV interview. The California Democrat echoed remarks that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made on Tuesday evening in their joint news conference.
Democratic lawmakers tried but failed to get $150 billion for state and local governments in a deal that they reached Tuesday with Republicans that will provide funds for small businesses, hospitals and testing. That $480 billion package, which some analysts have described as a “Phase 3.5” response, passed the Republican-led Senate on Tuesday and was on track to get the Democratic-run House’s OK on Thursday. It comes after the $2.2 trillion CARES Act that was enacted a month ago.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening said he supports providing more aid for states in the next package, adding that infrastructure spending could be a big part of the legislation, too. Pelosi also has called for infrastructure outlays in the next measure, but then pulled back on that stance earlier this month.
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