Prospects for more stimulus checks, coronavirus relief fade as latest offer from Trump draws opposit

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Prospects for more stimulus checks, coronavirus relief fade as latest offer from Trump draws opposition from Republicans and Democrats

Senate Republicans voice concerns about the $1.8 trillion aid package in call with Mnuchin and Meadows

By Erica Werner and Jeff Stein
10/10/2020, 12:30:08 p.m.

Senate Republicans and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) raised objections Saturday to a new $1.8 trillion economic relief proposal from the Trump administration, greatly dimming the prospects for a coronavirus relief deal before the election.

On a conference call Saturday morning with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, the Republicans were wary of the overall price tag of the bill and expressed opposition to a number of specific provisions, including an expansion of Affordable Care Act tax credits they say raises concerns about taxpayer funding of abortions. Democrats dispute that interpretation of the provision, but nonetheless it amounts to a poison pill for many Republicans, the people said.

Meanwhile, in a letter sent to House Democrats Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that the new White House offer amounts to “one step forward, two steps back,” indicating that it would be unacceptable without significant changes.

Pelosi outlined multiple concerns with the proposal Mnuchin offered, saying it did not contain enough spending for unemployment insurance, state and local aid, child care, or other Democratic priorities. She said it also includes “reckless” language on liability protections for businesses and others. House Democrats also have been pushing legislation with a $2.2 trillion price tag.

“When the president talks about wanting a bigger relief package, his proposal appears to mean that he wants more money at his discretion to grant or withhold, rather than agreeing on language prescribing how we honor our workers, crush the virus and put money in the pockets of workers,” Pelosi wrote.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/10/10/prospects-more-stimulus-checks-covid-relief-fade-latest-offer-trump-draws-opposition-republicans-democrats/

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emphasis mine

[onethatcares]

1. "he wants more money at his discretion

I can't wait until we see the final tally for the first stimulus. After all, he said he would be the overseer of that. Krikey, it's like tossing the chickens into the mouth of the lions and we'll hear, "We just can't afford those entitlement programs any longer, we're broke.