If Congress does not pass an economic stimulus package in the next 48 hours, lawmakers should have their pay cut off, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says.
On Fox News late Tuesday, the Republican senator spoke about the massive stimulus package, citing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) comment that they were in “the 2-yard line” as he added, “But here’s the problem, there are 20 people playing defense.”
“Here’s what I say: If we don’t have a bill in the next 48 hours, every member and every staff personnel up here should lose their pay and their benefits until we pass a bill,” Graham said, noting Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) has a bill to do that.
“If we don’t have a bill in the next 48 hours, I’m going to go to the floor of the Senate and make a unanimous consent request to cut our pay and benefits off until we pass one.”
The lawmaker is not having it anymore, as he is urging his colleagues to pass the package.
“Pass the damn bill,” Graham said, adding, “People are out of work. They need a paycheck. The doctors and nurses are under siege. They need medical supplies. Small businesses have been put out of business, let’s put them back in business. Enough already, pass the damn bill.”
Watch Graham’s interview below:
If things continue the way that Wednesday started off, lawmakers may not be confronted with a push to cut off their pay in order to get a package passed.
Early Wednesday, senators and the Trump administration came to an agreement on a $2 trillion stimulus package amid the coronavirus outbreak, as IJR reported.
Elements of the massive emergency bill that are under negotiation include two times of up to $1,200 checks for some Americans, about $350 billion to small businesses, up to $130 billion for hospitals, among other elements.
“We’re going to pass this legislation later today,” McConnell declared.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, “Help is on the way, big help and quick help.”
The stimulus package is expected to be voted on Wednesday in the Senate. It would then go to the House of Representatives, where it would need to be passed before garnering the signature of the president.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), however, introduced her own $2.5 trillion proposal on Monday.
