On Friday, Democrats passed through the House a $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus, a relief package that exposed some division within their ranks, as Republicans voted against it amid a veto threat from the White House.
Fourteen House Democrats opposed the “Heroes Act” bill. One Republican, retiring Rep. Peter King of New York, voted for the measure.
The bill would steer billions to financially socked local and state governments, providing a second round of direct payments to millions of Americans. Senate Republicans were against the bill. President Donald Trump declared the bill “dead on arrival.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans attacked the bill and said they want to see the results of the trillion of stimulus dollars approved before taking up another package.
Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican, said, “There are elements in it, working with Republicans, that could pass. There are lots of other things in here that aren’t gonna.”
Democrats hope pressure to act will continue to rise as many states face massive budget holes, while millions of Americans will continue to file for unemployment benefits.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said, “It’s always interesting to me to see how much patience some people have with the pain and suffering of other people. Let’s take a pause? Do you think this virus is taking a pause? Do you think that the rent takes a pause?”
“We’re going to see mass unemployment numbers continue to rise,” said Washington State Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who is the Democrat behind the paycheck guarantee proposal and against the bill.
Republicans have been attacking vulnerable House Democrats for backing the bill, which has an astonishing $3 trillion price tag and includes “far-left ideas like stimulus checks for illegal immigrants.”
The bill also includes another round of $1,200 stimulus checks for eligible adults. It would expand the pool of people who could receive them.
In the United States, the coronavirus outbreak has led to more than 36 million job losses and the unemployment rate has reached up to 14.7%. The Heroes Act, if signed into law, would be the fifth major coronavirus relief package. Plus, the bill will be the largest by far due to a $3 trillion price tag.
Other Democrats, including Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), objected to the bill. Pocan said it does not include more support for small business payrolls, while Spanberger said the bill was too ambitious and has “no chance” at being signed into law.
