Senate To Vote On New Skinny COVID Relief Plan
As a deal on a larger package between congressional lawmakers and the White House remains elusive, Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says senators will consider a "targeted" bill next week.
The Washington Post:
McConnell Plans Vote On Narrow Economic Relief Measure While Trump Urges Lawmakers To ‘Go Big Or Go Home!!!’
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on Tuesday that the Senate will take up a narrow economic relief bill when it comes back in session next week. President Trump immediately undermined the move, writing on Twitter: “STIMULUS! Go big or go home!!!”The clashing messages were a stark display of GOP disunity just three weeks before the November election, as Senate Republicans balk at a $1.8 trillion relief package Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has offered to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Trump, though, has suggested Republicans should agree to an even bigger deal than what Democrats have offered. (Stein and Werner, 10/13)
The Hill:
McConnell To Force Vote On 'Targeted' Coronavirus Relief Bill Next Week
“When the full Senate returns on October 19th, our first order of business will be voting again on targeted relief for American workers, including new funding for the PPP," McConnell said in a statement, referring to the Paycheck Protection Program. McConnell, during a stop in Kentucky on Tuesday, said the bill would be "highly targeted" and authorize around $500 billion. The bill, he noted, would include money for schools, hospitals and protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits. (Carney, 10/13)
Politico:
McConnell Dares Democrats To Block 'Targeted' Covid Relief Before Election
With President Donald Trump and his top aides urging the GOP to address the issue and replenish the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, McConnell (R-Ky.) is daring Democrats to block it again. “Republicans do not agree that nothing is better than something for working families. The American people need Democrats to stop blocking bipartisan funding and let us replenish the PPP before more Americans lose their jobs needlessly,” McConnell said in a statement. (Everett and Ferris, 10/13)
Also —
The Hill:
Pelosi Spars With CNN's Blitzer Over COVID-19 Aid: 'You Really Don't Know What You're Talking About'
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday defended holding out for a more expansive COVID-19 economic relief package than the current proposal offered by the Trump administration in an unusually contentious interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, telling the news anchor that "you really don't know what you're talking about" and calling him an "apologist" for Republicans. Pelosi and the Trump administration have been trying to negotiate a pandemic relief package for months to no avail, with Democrats currently pushing for a price tag of $2.2 trillion — down from their initial proposal of $3.4 trillion this spring — and the Trump administration most recently offering a $1.8 trillion proposal. (Marcos, 10/13)
The Hill:
Pelosi, Citing 'Leverage' Over Trump, Holds Strong To $2.2T In COVID-19 Aid
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday shot down entreaties from some Democrats to cut a $1.8 trillion deal with the White House on coronavirus relief, arguing that President Trump's pleas for Congress to "go big" have given her leverage to hold out for more aid. "I appreciate the, shall we say, a couple people saying, ‘Take it, take it, take it,’" Pelosi said in a phone conference with Democrats, according to source on the call. "Take it? Take it? Even the president is saying, ‘Go big or go home.’" (Lillis, 10/13)
