WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The two top Republicans in the U.S. Congress vowed on Saturday to oppose Democrats’ demands to match a $250 billion proposal to aid small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic with the same amount for hospitals and state and local governments.
File Photo: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) walks to the Senate Chamber floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. , April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
The statement from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy came a day after top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin planned to hold bipartisan talks on the bill next week.
“American workers are in crisis,” McConnell and McCarthy said. “This will not be Congress’s last word on COVID-19, but this crucial program needs funding now. American workers cannot be used as political hostages.”
A bipartisan group representing the nation’s governors and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, said Congress must address the fiscal toll the pandemic is taking on states, which are often on the front lines of the virus response.
The new coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease, has killed more than 19,600 Americans, closed schools, businesses and most public activities and thrown more than 15 million people out of work.
Senate Republicans on Thursday failed to ram through a $250 billion increase in loans for small businesses suffering due to the outbreak. Democrats support the $250 billion in new funding but want to set aside some of the lending for community- and minority-owned banks.
Schumer and Pelosi are also pressing for another funding stream of more than $250 billion that would aid hospitals and state and local governments, along with expanded food aid for the poor.
The $250 billion in small-business loans would be in addition to $349 billion already allocated by Congress in a $2.3 trillion relief measure passed last month following another partisan standoff.
Some congressional Republicans are against the second batch of funding, calling it premature.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, the Republican chairman of the National Governors Association, and vice chair Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, a Democrat, on Saturday urged the federal government to provide immediate fiscal relief for states.
“The federal stimulus bill is going to be key,” Cuomo told a news conference. “That legislation, in my opinion, has to be better than the past legislation — has to be less political, less pork barrel and more targeted to the actual purpose” of helping places most directly affected by the coronavirus.
Cuomo and Hogan called on Congress to provide $500 billion to meet the states’ budgetary shortfalls.
Pelosi supported the governors’ calls for immediate funding.
“Governors are crying out for help and Congress must act,” Pelosi wrote on Twitter. “Our state and local governments are in crisis, and between emergency expenses and rising unemployment sapping revenue, they need an immediate infusion of funds to prevent the collapse of essential services.”
Reporting by Linda So, Richard Cowan and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Scott Malone, Bernadette Baum, Daniel Wallis, Diane Craft and Jonathan Oatis
998642 938830Vi ringrazio, considero che quello che ho letto sia ottimo 44253
201670 310452TeenVogue? Seeking for fashion advice, celebrity buzz or beauty trends? Discover it all in Teen Vogue 217790
974318 527019Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. Ill surely be back. 293407
116756 293806obviously like your website but you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. 715235
406404 881307My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different internet site and thought I may as properly check issues out. I like what I see so now im following you. Look forward to going more than your internet page repeatedly. 315373
347743 773607As a result youll demand ultra powerful online enterprise ideas to keep operating in acquiring into matters appropriate your incredible web-based function. MLM 680571
84785 261632Some genuinely great articles on this site , thankyou for contribution. 266784
607115 666317This really is a good blog i need to say, typically i don????t post comments on other people???? blogs but would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! 242840
851674 752678This internet internet site is my inspiration , truly exceptional layout and perfect topic matter. 628954
655577 295820Nice post. I be taught 1 thing more challenging on entirely different blogs everyday. It will all the time be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and apply slightly one thing from their store. Id desire to use some with the content material on my weblog whether you dont mind. Natually Ill give you a hyperlink on your net blog. Thanks for sharing. 221047
414414 268360Yeah bookmaking this wasnt a risky determination outstanding post! . 672711
782467 498198really like your imagination!!!! great work!! oh yeah.. cool photography too. 522759
980795 975463Right after study a few of the blog articles for your site now, and that i truly like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and are checking back soon. Pls consider my internet internet site too and inform me what you consider. 787893
688432 280979Its superb as your other posts : D, regards for posting . 872335
646978 462351It is difficult to acquire knowledgeable individuals about this subject, and you sound like what happens youre speaking about! Thanks 177956
595819 904844I took a break to view your post. I identified it quite relaxing 832490
490198 161892I was searching at some of your articles on this web site and I believe this internet web site is really instructive! Maintain on posting . 646253
851635 183308Largest lover messages were produced to share it along with your and gives honour of the bride and groom. Quite sound systems facing unnecessary throngs of men and women really should take into account each of our valuable concept of all presenting, which is ones trailer. greatest man toasts 372736
350432 90456really good post, i really really like this internet site, keep on it 749000
510739 250858There is going to be several entirely different portions about the LA Weight reduction eating program and one is truly crucial. Begin stage is your in fact truly of these extra load. weight loss 267282
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More here on that Topic: famousreporters.com/congressional-republicans-nix-democratic-bid-for-broader-coronavirus-relief/ […]