Sanders Says Senate Should ‘Improve’ Relief Package With a ‘Paycheck Security Process’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is suggesting the Senate take a second look at the $3 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by the House and make a few changes.

Sanders is on board with most of the bill, but he does have a few recommendations.

“I think what Pelosi did in the House is significant. It is important. I have some disagreements with it and I want to see the Senate improve upon it,” Sanders said.

He added, “Among other things, I happen to believe that we should go in the direction of a paycheck security process similar to what has been done in Europe.”

Watch his comments below:

The House approved the bill on Friday includes $500 billion in additional aid for state governments, another round of direct payments, and hazard pay for those on the front lines, as IJR previously reported.

Sanders argued Pelosi took more action than the Republicans to respond to the suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Pelosi at least, unlike the Republican leadership, said, ‘You know what we have terrible suffering in this country. We need to get money out to the cities and towns, to the hospitals,'” Sanders said.

He added, “We need to protect working people, and I would hope that the Republicans wake up and understand the severity of the crisis that we’re facing and the suffering that now exists.”

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the bill is “as they say, D.O.A. Dead on arrival,” as IJR previously reported.

Others have called the bill a “liberal wish list” including White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked Sanders if he would vote for the bill if it reaches the Senate floor.

“I would vote for a very substantive piece of legislation,” Sanders said.