After Delays, Republicans Rolled Out A New Pandemic Relief Bill. Democrats Balked



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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., with President Trump at the White House. The Republican Party has unveiled a new pandemic relief bill, but tough negotiations lie ahead with Democrats.

Evan Vucci/AP




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Evan Vucci/AP


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Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released details showing that the supplemental payment would fall to $200 per week through September and that starting in October it would be replaced with an amount that would replace 70% of lost wages through a formula created by states. Those states unable to implement a new system could apply for a waiver and continue a fixed amount for up to two months.

Republicans and Democrats have feuded over how much unemployment support should replace someone’s lost wages — at, below or more than what a worker was being paid before the economic disruption wrought by the pandemic.

In addition, McConnell indicated there would be money for schools, coronavirus testing and additional loans to small businesses, as well as legal protections for health care workers and businesses. He said the bill would also include a plan to manufacture personal protective equipment in the U.S. to avoid the need to acquire a stockpile from China.

McConnell didn’t immediately unveil the cost of the bill, but it has been estimated it will cost around $1 trillion.

Tough negotiations expected

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., faulted Republicans over their pandemic relief proposal because he said it came too late and was too stingy. Tough negotiations lie ahead.

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP


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The bill includes money to design and build a new Washington, D.C., headquarters for the FBI — a project that has been debated for years and something President Trump said last week was needed because the existing building, located across the street from one of his family’s hotels, is in disrepair.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, a House Republican until a few months ago, are expected to meet with Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in her office on Monday evening.

Pelosi earlier on Monday had extended the invitation to her office within 30 minutes of Republicans rolling out their proposal.

«If Republicans care about working families, this won’t take long. Time is running out. Congress cannot go home without an agreement,» Pelosi said in a statement.

Congress is slated to begin its recess Aug. 7, leaving negotiators a mere two weeks to wrap up negotiations and potentially send a bill to Trump’s desk.



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