Jobless Benefits Fight Slows Work on Biden’s $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Aid Bill
A battle over extending federal jobless benefits during the coronavirus pandemic delayed progress in the U.S. Senate on Friday on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill, as senators jousted over the scope…
A battle over extending federal jobless benefits during the coronavirus pandemic delayed progress in the U.S. Senate on Friday on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill, as senators jousted over the scope of competing proposals.
After the Senate defeated a last-ditch attempt by some of Biden’s fellow Democrats to raise the federal minimum wage, work on his first major legislative package since taking office in January ground to a halt as senators met behind closed doors to find a way forward.
“We’re completely stalled out,” No. 2 Senate Republican John Thune told reporters.
Unemployment compensation was one of many battles ahead on the sweeping bill, as the Senate braced for dealing with scores of amendments that could extend into the weekend. The legislation currently calls for providing $400 per week in federal jobless benefits, on top of state benefits, through Aug. 29 to help Americans who have lost jobs amid the economic trauma of the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate and House of Representatives. Congress is scrambling to complete work on the legislation so Biden can sign it into law before March 14, when some existing pandemic-related benefits are due to expire.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was walking a tightrope as he tried to fine-tune the bill and steer it through the Senate, aiming to keep Senate liberals and moderates happy while not alienating House Democrats. Since the Senate already has changed the bill with the removal of the House-passed minimum wage increase, if it votes to approve the legislation it would have to be sent back to the House for final passage.
A Democratic congressional aide said liberal and moderate senators have agreed upon a compromise that would set the federal jobless benefit at $300 per week, on top of state benefits, through September.
Moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, a pivotal vote in the closely divided Senate, had been pushing to lower the benefit from the bill’s current $400, the amount already approved by the House. Aides to Manchin did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Democratic deal.