Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is suggesting there may be another coronavirus bill in the works sooner than later.
During an interview with Fox News on Thursday, McConnell noted the possibility of another stimulus package in the near future despite him and Senate Republicans being hesitant about moving forward with a fifth stimulus bill.
“I think there’s a high likelihood that we’ll do another rescue package. But we need to be able to measure the impact of what we’ve already done,” McConnell said.
McConnell, who opposed House Democrats’ proposed a $3 trillion bill, believes lawmakers need to evaluate what is been done right or wrong with the previous bills passed in the last couple of months.
However, he insists, “We’re not quite ready to intelligently lay down the next step, but it’s not too far off.”
See McConnell’s remarks below:
According to McConnell, lawmakers and state officials must “work smart” in an attempt to save jobs as the states reopen.
“We need to work smart here, help the people who are desperately in need, try to save as many jobs as possible and begin to open up the states, which are decisions by the governors,” he added.
The latest news follows after Senate Republicans have expressed a desire to “pause” plans to move forward with another coronavirus bill, as previously reported on IJR.
It also comes as lawmakers have also expressed opposing views on the idea of passing another stimulus package and where the proposed funds should go.
Expanded unemployment benefits have also raised debates. Republicans believe the expanded federal benefit, which offers $600 per week to unemployed workers, will disincentivize returning to work, as McConnell also noted.
“Well the problem was… by paying people more not to work than to work it’s making it difficult to get people back to work,” McConnell said.
However, Democrats argue that the funds are needed to stabilize the economy, as Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum noted.
Despite President Donald Trump insisting the United States will have a “rapid, economic recovery,” economic experts are noting the statistics signal a relatively slow economic recovery.
Statistics also shine a different light on the unemployment challenge and the reason many workers may not be returning to work.
According to The New York Times, many workers may not have a job to return to. Statistics show approximately 42% of layoffs due to the coronavirus will likely be permanent. With businesses shuttering their doors all over the country, the employment market will also decrease.
As all 50 states enter phases of reopening their economies, there are more than 1.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States. Increases are also on an upward trajectory as the death toll approaches 100,000.
