House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is weighing in with her concerns about the Senate Republicans’ reportedly proposed $100 per week extension for enhanced unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus pandemic.
For weeks now, Republican lawmakers have sought to decrease the $600 per week payment for enhanced unemployment. While they are currently discussing an array of alternatives to extend payments, reports on the $100 per week proposal have garnered attention and concern.
During an appearance on CNBC’s “Mad Money” Wednesday, host Jim Cramer asked Pelosi about the sharp reduction Republican lawmakers are proposing.
“Madam Speaker, our own Kayla Tausche reported earlier today that the Republicans are now – have now lowered the amount that they are willing to accept to $400 a month, that’s $100 a week. Is there any way that’s acceptable to you?” Cramer asked.
BREAKING, as I just reported on @CNBC: While talks are still fluid, Republicans are discussing lowering the expanded unemployment benefit to $400/mo, but extending it through Dec 31.
— Kayla Tausche (@kaylatausche) July 22, 2020
Previously, GOP discussions had hovered around $200/wk.
The Democratic lawmaker admitted the amount is unacceptable, as she explained why the $600/week is economically “relative.”
“No,” Pelosi said of the proposed weekly amount, adding, “I don’t know that they have gone to that place.”
She added, “And the $600 is relative. In some places, it’s a matter of economic survival and other places, it makes – it’s a sweetener. But we have to have the same amount in the whole country because, otherwise, it’s an administrative headache.”
Pelosi went on to note Republicans’ apprehension to spend money when it comes to the American people.
“We think there should be a floor for America’s working families and that we should not be firing those that are meeting the needs of the American people because we don’t want to spend — some of the Republicans on the Senate side don’t want to spend the money,” she said.
The top Democrat also stressed how critical it is for lawmakers to focus on the bigger issue Americans are faced with — uncertainty. Pelosi explained how American workers’ fear of uncertainty is no different that uncertainty in business.
“We should not be quibbling over $200, $400 or $600 when people are in desperate need and have great uncertainty. You know how the markets and the business community doesn’t like uncertainty? We shouldn’t inject uncertainty further into the lives of America’s working families.”
See Pelosi’s remarks below:
Congress needs to take steps to give America’s working families certainty during these troubling times. #FamiliesFirst @MadMoneyOnCNBC pic.twitter.com/GtfNOCYd1W
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 23, 2020
Pelosi’s remarks came shortly after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) unveiled a preview of the next coronavirus relief proposal on Tuesday.
According to McConnell, the new bill will likely include funding for schools expanded testing capacity, small business, unemployment benefits, and another round of direct payments to American workers will also be included.
Lawmakers have not yet passed any proposals for the upcoming stimulus. However, Pelosi is hopeful lawmakers will reach a bipartisan agreement.
“Well, let’s just hope that we will,” Pelosi said. “There are many days – a few days left in this week. … During that time we hope to see a proposal in writing from the Republicans as to what their priorities are and how much they’re willing to invest in the well-being of the American people.”
