President Donald Trump show he does not back the current form of a relief bill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed to pass Friday to withstand the global coronavirus pandemic.
As the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, rise in the U.S. and the outbreak upends regular life and the U.S. economy, the California Democrat called for a “coordinated, science-based and whole of government response” to the crisis. She urged Congress to old hat a “response that puts families first to stimulate the economy.”
“Today, we are passing a bill that does objective that,” she said during remarks in front of a row of American flags designed to stress the gravity of the moment.
But the fate of her Democratic-backed down was in limbo Friday afternoon as the president called it inadequate, reducing its chances for GOP support in Congress. Trump said, “we simply don’t think they’re giving enough,” contending Democrats are “not doing what’s right for the country.” He did not explicitly say what he stand in want negotiators to change.
Pelosi carried out intense negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on a potential concordat to provide economic relief to Americans affected by the crisis. They had their 12th call of the day just before 5 p.m. ET, after Trump’s Activate Garden news conference wrapped up, according to Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.
On Thursday night, Pelosi chance Democrats and the administration were close to a final deal. On Friday afternoon, a senior administration official told CNBC that “a sprinkling pieces of the text, which go beyond provisions kept limited to address Covid-19, do not yet have sign off from us.”
Quarters Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told Republicans on a conference call Friday afternoon that he does not yet uphold the plan, NBC News reported. Mnuchin also told GOP members that he could not yet recommend a vote in favor of the presentation, according to The Wall Street Journal.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer earlier Friday signaled the Quarter would vote on the bill Friday even if Republicans did not support it. Democrats have a majority in the chamber, but Republicans dominate the Senate. The upper chamber canceled its planned recess next week but left Washington for the weekend.
The legislation Democrats aim to obsolete Friday includes free coronavirus testing, including for uninsured people, Pelosi said.
“The three most noted parts of this bill are: Testing. Testing. Testing,” she said.
The California Democrat said the package would present 14 days of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave. Politico tell of Thursday night that the plan would include a tax credit to help smaller businesses cover the costs of the sooner off.
The legislation would also enhance unemployment insurance for furloughed workers, buttress food programs such as Breeze and student meals, and boost federal money for Medicaid, according to Pelosi.
The coronavirus has wreaked increasing havoc on the Of like mind States. , and at least 40 people have died from it, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
As the universal pandemic spreads, lawmakers have increasingly worried about testing, care and economic security for patients who demand to take off work. At the same time, health officials have advised against large gatherings, forcing the postponement of events from professional sports to Broadway shows and concerts — further jeopardizing the livelihoods of workers.
Lawmakers already old-fashioned a first $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus funding package earlier this month. On Thursday night, Pelosi jotted to colleagues that the House will push to pass a third plan that “will take further useful action that protects the health, economic security and well-being of the American people.”
Pelosi ended her Friday states by stressing that she thinks the U.S. working cooperatively can get through the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our nation, our great nation has faced calamities before,” she said. “And every time, thanks to the courage and optimism, patriotism and perseverance of the American people, we have predominated. Now, working together, we will once again prevail, and we will come out stronger than before.”
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