Pelosi demands increased unemployment insurance, Medicaid, and paid sick leave in stimulus deal
by Susan Ferrechio
| March 20, 2020 08:44 PM
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Friday letter to rank-and-file Democrats she would not greenlight a major coronavirus stimulus deal with the GOP unless it “greatly†increases unemployment insurance and Medicaid and expands paid and sick family leave.
Pelosi wrote to House Democrats as the House and Senate engaged in intense, bipartisan negotiations on a stimulus package likely to cost more than $1 trillion. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has set up a Senate vote to advance a deal on Sunday, even as the two sides continued talking on Friday.
“Our committees are hard at work on legislation that is truly visionary, fast-acting, and evidence-based,†Pelosi, a California Democrat, said. “They are also engaged in conversations with the Senate about provisions that could be added to improve the Senate bill.â€
McConnell released a $1 trillion proposal on Thursday that would provide forgivable loans to small businesses, $208 billion in loans to the airlines and other major industries economically harmed by the coronavirus, and direct payments of up to $1,200 for certain middle-class and lower-income earners.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/pelosi-demands-increased-unemployment-insurance-medicaid-and-paid-sick-leave-in-stimulus-deal
