President-elect Joe Biden
Joe Biden Flights out of Nashville were halted due to telecommunications problems linked to an explosion of spare vehicles. Does Haaland’s selection show Biden’s commitment to banning fracking of public lands? Police: The vehicle that exploded in Nashville issued a warning before exploding MORE he is already pressuring Congress to approve further coronavirus relief early next year, paving the way for a high-profile battle with GOP lawmakers shortly after he takes office.
Congress approved about $ 900 billion in new assistance after months of haggling as COVID-19 cases increased, businesses closed, cities imposed blocking restrictions, and hundreds of thousands of Americans died because of the virus.
The bill, that President Trump
Donald Trump Millions of people will lose unemployment benefits amid Trump’s confrontation with Congress The Memo: Could Pence Run and Win in 2024? Flights out of Nashville were halted due to telecommunications issues related to the RV explosion MORE has criticized but not threatened to veto, is intended to help the country through what public health experts warn will be a brutal winter, even if two vaccines are started to be administered. Biden and Democrats, however, consider it an “upfront payment” before the additional aid they want to approve next year.
“I have always said that this bill is only a first step, an initial payment, to face the crisis … we are. There is much more work to be done. At the beginning of next year I will present to Congress the my plans for what’s to come, ”Biden told reporters at a news conference shortly after Congress approved the relief package, which was tied to $ 1.4 trillion to fund the government through Sept. 30.
Biden’s promise is echoed by Democratic leaders who pledge to work with him to secure more funding once he takes office on Jan. 20.
“We have a new hope that comes from the vaccine and the commitment that President-elect Biden has to follow science. We are ready for the next step, ”Speaker said Nancy Pelosi
Meghan McCain, who sent a relief bill to Trump in Florida (D-California) wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerTrump and Pelosi should team up for 000 grants Schumer is asking Trump to call K on direct payments: Progressive Democrats “I’m in” support Trump’s highest direct payment request MORE (DN.Y.) told reporters he spoke with Biden after the law passed. He said they agreed that the country needs a “bigger and bolder bill” and in “January, February we will start.”
But Biden is likely to face major advances from Senate Republicans, regardless of which party controls the Senate after the January 5 election in Georgia.
If Republicans win one or both Georgia races, they will have 51 or 52 seats in the House, that is, leading the Senate majority Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch), Mitchell McConnell, GOP tries to avoid Trump’s messy fight for Electoral College bipartisan, bicameral group urges Trump to sign COVID-19 relief package Meghan McCain says Merry Christmas to everyone except to healthy people under the age of 65, who are vaccinated before front-line workers MORE (R-Ky.) He will control what measures come to the ballot to vote. If Democrats win both seats, they will be able to force a 50-50 majority, but they will still need GOP support to pass most legislation.
Leading Republicans warn that while they expect Biden to ask for more COVID-19 help, he is far from guaranteeing that Congress will sign it.
“Nothing is guaranteed. … I am sure he will listen to the administration and particularly state and local governments, the senator. John Cornyn
John CornynGOP is trying to avoid Trump’s messy fight for passage of the Electoral College Relief Aid Bill, which declares victory, blaming Congress for spending seven days to gain time for the deal. financing of COVID-19 MORE (R-Texas) said about the possibility of more relief next year.
His. John Thune
John Randolph ThuneGOP tries to avoid Trump’s messy fight for Trump’s last few weeks at the Electoral School creates chaos as Congress Republicans fight to avoid a legislative disaster by the end of the year MORE (SD), the GOP’s No. 2 senator, said the decision of the two Georgia races could determine the impetus for more coronavirus relief.
“I think the incoming administration sees it as something they can do now and then they can come back next year. Probably a lot of that depends on what’s going on in Georgia,” said Thune, who asked if he considered the year-end package as a down payment.
McConnell was not engaged when asked during a recent one Fox News interview about providing more help.
“If after the new administration comes in, they want to defend more, we’ll look at it based on the conditions in the country,” McConnell said.
The fight could get to a pretty quick point, though Biden will have to juggle to get his administration up and running as he tries to address other priorities during his first 100 days in office.
Biden plans to start pushing for more aid as soon as January or February. Meanwhile, Congress will face a series of so-called relief cliffs as programs authorized under its latest bill begin to fade. The deadline will be when the extension of the ten-week unemployment included in such a comprehensive year-end agreement begins to disappear in mid-March. And depending on when they request it, small businesses could start finalizing Check Protection Program loans at the same time.
“I think everyone understands that Vice President Biden will be asking for another bill, so we’ll have another chance to review it probably soon,” Cornyn said of the approaching unemployment cliff.
Biden outlines an extensive and ambitious wish list for a potential package, which could be a big boost with Republicans increasingly suspicious of the deficit after hosting large spending bills under President Trump. Biden, who has asked for more money for testing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, also points to the desire for state and local funding, an extension of the federal unemployment benefit and rental assistance, and a third round of drug control. ‘stimulus.
But the two sides still have deep divisions over their respective priorities that were left out of the $ 900 billion deal: more aid for state and local governments and a GOP boost for protection against lawsuits related to the coronavirus.
Pelosi and Schumer are committed to providing direct funding for state and local governments, whose officials have warned they may have to cut services as the coronavirus dries up its tax base.
“I think we will have a more robust bill on state and local issues and many others … under the administration of President Biden that we have now,” Schumer told reporters.
But the money for state and local governments is considered anathema to some Republicans and the Republican Party leadership has warned for months that these funds would deflate the number of votes they could get in support of a new package. A bipartisan group included more money into its framework for a compromise measure, but withdrew from the final agreement drawn up by the leadership.
McConnell has already said he will “insist” that protections against coronavirus-related claims be included in any additional relief from COVID-19.
“I think relieving responsibility is really important,” McConnell said. “And if there is another coronavirus relief law after the first of the year, I will insist that protecting the liability of these universities and health care providers is part of it.”
Democrats have been wary of such efforts, worrying that any legal protection would undermine state-approved regulations and could restrict worker safety rules.
“We have not been able to reach an agreement on civil liability. I spent two weeks non-stop trying and we were not successful “, said the senator. Dick Durbin
Dick DurbinWarren and other senators are seeking investigation into the Trump administration to resume federal executions. Biden taps a Hoyer staff member to join the administration’s communications team Lawmakers soon expect a COVID-19 relief agreement MORE (D-Ill.) On the recent efforts of Congress to find a common ground on the question.
It looks like Biden acknowledged that Congress could throw a curveball at its plans for further relief.
Journalists asked him if he could ensure lawmakers would act soon, Biden seemed amused.
“Everyone asks the most interesting questions. Have you ever met someone in the history of the United States of America who can be president and ensure exactly what Congress will do? “I can’t assure you anything, but I can tell you what I hope.”
“There are still people who don’t want to help, there are still people who insist on my path or the road,” Biden added. “But the vast majority of members of Congress, I think, will be able to work on those specific issues of national consequence.”