Congressional Republicans are giving Democrats’ new coronavirus relief bill a cold reception.
House Democrats unveiled their latest relief bill, estimated to cost $3 trillion, on Tuesday, as IJR reported.
When asked if he opposed certain elements of the bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, “What I’ve said is, we’re taking a look at what we’ve already done — we’ve added about $3 trillion to the national debt — and assessing the effectiveness of that before deciding to go forward.”
“I’m in discussion, we all are, with the administration. If we reach a decision, along with the administration, to move another phase, that’ll be the time to interact with the Democrats.”
McConnell slammed the bill that was unveiled by the Democrats on Tuesday, “What you’ve seen in the House … is not something designed to deal with reality, but designed to deal with aspirations.”
“This is not a time for aspirational legislation. This is a time for a practical response to the coronavirus pandemic,” he added.
Watch the video below:
.@senatemajldr "This is not a time for aspirational legislation. This is a time for practical response to the coronavirus pandemic." https://t.co/eFFepfSVYR pic.twitter.com/ZbUgsiUnqq
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 12, 2020
Additionally, McConnell said Republicans would push for “narrowly targeted legislation” with the aim of addressing “the problems, the needs, and not the aspirations of the Democratic majority in the House.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Congress must act in a “big and bold way” to provide Americans with more coronavirus relief. And he touted the new House bill as “just what America needs.”
“What is it going to take for Mitch McConnell to wake up and see that the American need help and need it now?” Schumer asked.
.@SenSchumer: "We need to act in a big and bold way. The House has started to ball rolling. The Republicans and the president ought to understand that and help us move in a big and bold way, not stand in the way." https://t.co/3PZlmYEYh6 pic.twitter.com/hJrWaplJrg
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 12, 2020
Congressional Democrats have been pushing for a bold new coronavirus relief bill to help Americans struggling because of the coronavirus.
But Republicans have chosen to tap the breaks and argued that Congress should assess effectiveness the previous relief bills before passing another multi-trillion dollar bill that could add to the national debt.
The Democrats’ bill would provide $75 billion for coronavirus testing, $25 billion for the Post Office, $10 billion in grants for small businesses, and direct payments of up to $6,000 per household.
The House is expected to vote on the bill on Friday, but Senate Republicans who control the upper chamber have signaled opposition to the bill.
