Dems face increasing pressure to back smaller COVID stimulus
By Mike Lillis,Jordain Carney and Naomi Jagoda - 11/23/20 03:30 PM EST
Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are facing increasing pressure — both internal and external — to accept a smaller coronavirus aid package for the sake of securing another round of emergency relief before year’s end.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) have insisted for weeks that the House-passed $2.2 trillion bill is their starting point for any negotiations as they’ve sought to nudge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) closer to their position from the $500 billion he’s championed.
But the Democratic strategy is running into roadblocks as President-Elect Joe Biden signals he wants an agreement this year and more and more Democratic lawmakers are opening the door to going below the top leaders’ $2.2 trillion red line.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a close Biden ally, said that he would support something below $2.2 trillion, but, like most Democrats, believes the offer from McConnell is inadequate as cases climb across the country and some cities and states are reimposing restrictions aimed at slowing the spread.
“To me it’s less about exactly what dollar amount than it is what are the areas where we’re providing some relief,†he said. “I think we ought to be doing a broad package that provides support to small businesses through another round of PPP, to schools, to public health agencies to prepare for vaccine distribution … so to me it’s less about what is the top-line dollar though I would like it to be as close to $2 trillion or above as possible, than it is about how broad it is.â€
The cracks in strategy reach into leadership teams in both chambers.
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https://thehill.com/policy/finance/527229-dems-face-increasing-pressure-to-back-smaller-covid-stimulus
