Schumer: Democrats must pass virus aid with or without GOP

[riversedge]

Source: AP




By LISA MASCARO and JOSH BOAK 2 hours ago



WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Democrats are preparing to push ahead quickly on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package even if it means using procedural tools to pass the legislation on their own, leaving Republicans behind.

Schumer told Senate Democrats to be ready as soon as next week to consider a budget resolution that would lay the groundwork for swift passage of the sweeping virus aid and economic recovery act. It could be done with a simple 51-vote majority in the Senate, rather than the usual 60-vote threshold that is needed.


“The work must move forward, preferably with our Republican colleagues, but without them if we must,” Schumer said after a private meeting of Democratic senators. “Time is of the essence to address this crisis. We’re keeping all options open on the table.”

Unwilling to wait for Republicans who say the price tag of Biden’s COVID-19 relief is too high and the priorities too far-reaching, Democrats are flexing their newfound power as they take control of the Senate alongside the House and White House. It is the first time the party has held unified control in Washington in a decade..............................

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-6aa76621e7d1f6e9a087b6299ea16d71

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just get it passed. NOW. Lets the Repugs whine and name call.

[MiniMe]

1. Manchin and the one Ariona Senator stand in the way

It is a razor thin 50-50 margin, don't think they have enough votes.

[Demsrule86]

2. Manchin comes from a very poor state...he can vote for this You lower income levels and it is done.

[drray23]

3. not really that simple.

You can not take the simplistic view that Manchin and Sinema will oppose every bill put forward by the democrats. It is just simply not true. They were and still are opposed to removing the fillibuster. We are talking about a budget resolution which is a standard way of doing business.

[TomCADem]

9. That Is Incorrect. There Is Nothing to Suggest That They Are Suddenly Against Budget Reconciliation

Both Democrats and Republicans have used budget reconciliation, which is not subject to the filibuster.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. "if it means using procedural tools to pass the legislation on their own"

Which would mean doing it as a Budget Reconciliation, a la how the 2nd part of the ACA was done. It'll be tricky to put any riders on it due to the "Byrd Rule". I don't know if the House has cobbled together a version of their older HEROES Act to comply with reconciliation but it will be interesting to see how they do this particularly if the Senate takes the lead and then does the reconciliation by attaching it to some House-passed bill (which is how they do it in order to fulfill the technicality of the House having the "power of the purse" ).

The GOP passed their tax cuts for the rich with reconciliation.

[Stuart G]

5. Thank You for posting...K and R for all to see.

[PoliticAverse]

6. "Time is of the essence to address this crisis." - so pass a bill already.

[mysteryowl]

7. Just get it passed NOW

With the Sen. Leahy health scare; we could easily lose control of the senate.
Not time to wait!

[orangecrush]

8. "Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer"