The $ 1.9 billion coronavirus first aid plan faces a possible Senate woodcutter as lawmakers consider enacting the giant bill.
The House passed the legislation Friday and sent it to the Senate where it could come next week. Leadership wants to sign the bill by mid-March, with the duty to move it quickly through Congress.
But before the Senate Democrats can pass the bill, they must go through an hour-long voting session, known as a vote-a-rama, where any senator can present an amendment. Any changes require the coronavirus relief package to return to the home.
‘There are discussions about a slightly different approach to some of these provisions … [But] we do not want to derail reconciliation, ”said sen. Dick Durbin
Dick Durbin’s Partisan headwind threatens Capitol Murkowski’s riot commission indiscriminately over Tanden’s nomination in limbo Democrats ask FBI for plans to address domestic extremism after attack on Capitol MORE (D-Ill.), Referring to the budget process Democrats are using to advance legislation. “We want to do something that is politically feasible with home cooperation.”
Sen. John Cornyn
John Cornyn Politics, not racism or sexism, explains opposition from Biden cabinet nominees Biden promises support for Texas amid recovery from winter storm Partisan headwind threatens Capitol riot commission MORE (R-Texas), asked what to expect from Republicans, adding that “I think people are eager to have a chance to lay down markers and make their point.”
With Senate action normally strictly controlled, vote-a-ramas is one of the few chances senators get to enforce votes. An earlier vote-a-rama earlier this month on the budget resolution – which drafted the COVID-19 bill – attracted more than 800 amendments, with the debate starting in the afternoon and lasting until after 5am
But most of the amendments during the debate were not binding, which did not make it much more than political messages. The importance is raised in the forthcoming debate, as successful amendments will change the bill and force it back to the lower chamber.
“I think you’ve got a little preview, but the budget resolution is not legal … and it will be so, I think you can expect a strong amendment process,” Cornyn said.
An 11th-hour curveball is what the Senate is finally doing on the federal minimum wage after parliamentarians ruled that the language it raises to $ 15 an hour does not comply with the giant budget rules that determine what can be included in the bill does not become.
The House has enforced the minimum wage of $ 15, though it will be stripped down in the Senate. Democrats are scrambling to see if they can put language into the bill that will actually push big business to implement a minimum wage of $ 15 an hour.
The idea was supported by the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden
Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenHouse Democrats succeed overwhelmingly.99 COVID-19 Bill with Minimum Wage Increase House Introduces to Vote Strictly on COVID-19 Help Package On The Money: Democrats Scramble to Save Minimum Wage Increase | Personal income rises, inflation remains low after stimulus bursts MORE (D-Ore.) And Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersHouse Democrats succeed overwhelmingly.99 COVID-19 relief bill with minimum wage increase House set to vote tight on COVID-19 aid package On The Money: Democrats scramble to save minimum wage increase | Personal income rises, inflation remains low after stimulus bursts MORE (I-Vt.), And a senior Democratic assistant, Majority Leader said Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerThe bizarre backstory of the filibuster Hillicon Valley: Biden draws order on slides | Hearing about wrong information in the media | Facebook’s agreement with Australia CIA nominee for SolarWinds House Rules introduces the new text of COVID-19 relief bill MORE (DN.Y.) “look at it” to add it to the coronavirus relief account.
Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) Manchin Progressive sting on Senate setbacks Politics, not racism or sexism, declares opposition to the Biden cabinet nominees. House Democrats pass vague .9T COVID-19 bill with minimum wage increase MORE (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), Who opposed the $ 15-hour minimum wage increase, have not yet weighed.
Other dual discussions about making additional changes to the package continue.
Sen. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins Collins insists that Biden revisit order on the US-Canada border. Conspiracy theorist media circles Neera Tanden Why the ‘Never-Trumpers’ jumped MORE (R-Maine) said she talked to Democrats about possible changes, such as raising the income threshold for Americans to receive stimulus payments, with those earning more than $ 200,000 receiving a partial check.
Asked about the comments, Durbin added: “This is one of the topics that the dual group of senators has raised from the beginning.”
During the budget vote, a dual group of senators tabled an amendment to provide support to ensure that higher-income taxpayers are not eligible. The amendment, which was not binding, was eventually adopted in a 99-1 vote.
Under the coronavirus bill, individuals up to $ 75,000 and couples up to $ 150,000 receive a $ 1,400 check. Thereafter, the amount of the check is scaled down until it is completely phased out for individuals earning $ 100.00 or couples earning $ 200,000.
Many of the same group of senators also tabled an amendment to the budget resolution limiting the federal unemployment benefit to $ 300 a week. The home account limits the payment to $ 400 per week.
Although six Democratic senators co-sponsored the amendment to the budget resolution, it is unclear whether there would be enough support to get a similar change in the coronavirus bill – a move that would dispel the anger of progressives in both chambers. arise.
Sen. Jon Tester
Jonathan (Jon) TesterDemocrats hesitate to raise taxes amid pandemic Jennifer Palmieri: ‘Ever since I became aware of politics, I wanted to be in politics’. (D-Mont), one of the co-sponsors of the budget amendment, said he supported $ 400 a week, and he had not yet looked at how the House bill would handle the stimulus tests.
Asked about the possibility of dual support to lower the limit of the weekly payment, Collins noted that “there was a unilateral general consensus on it.”
Schumer urged members of the Democratic caucus of the Senate to propose possible changes to the bill so that it can be incorporated into legislation before it passes the House. Although Democrats initially did not propose amendments to the budget resolution, they eventually supported dozens.
‘Please continue to give feedback and ideas to my office and the Senate committees for the bill. “We have already incorporated many of your proposals, as well as a number of dual proposals, into the bill and the Senate is on track to send a robust $ 1.9 billion package to the president’s desk,” Schumer said. written in a “Dear Colleague” letter.
Republicans, meanwhile, are planning their own potential changes, having achieved major victories in the budget-a-rama, and can support amendments to water down the legislation, although all 50 GOP senators are expected to vote against the final bill.
“When I think strategically and tactically, I think you almost have to wonder ‘do you want to make it better,’ and I think you do,” Sen said. Kevin Cramer
Kevin John Cramer On The Money: Manhattan DA Acquires Trump Tax Files | Biden nominee looks at trade agenda after Trump | Biden faces first setback as Teeth teeters OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senate confirms former Michigan governor Granholm as energy secretary | GOP bill would codify Trump’s rule on funding for fossil fuels, weapons Kennedy apologizes for calling Haaland a ‘whack job’ GOP bill, which would codify Trump’s rule on funding for fossil fuels, guns MORE (RN.D.) on supporting changes while opposing the overall bill.
Sen. Todd Young
Todd Christopher YoungGraham: Trump will be ‘helpful’ to all Senate Presidents, Biden. Biden signs the supply chain order after a ‘positive’ meeting with lawmakers, the Republican 2024 hopefuls, earlier drew battle lines for the post-Trump era. (R-Ind.) En Tom Cotton
Tom Bryant CottonSunday preview: 2024 hopefuls gather at CPAC; Home lightens coronavirus relief; vaccine effort continues The memorandum: CPAC shoots gun at 2024 Democrats scramble to save minimum wage increase MORE (R-Ark.) Got dual support for an amendment during the budget vote-a-rama to support that they do not give an incentive check to undocumented immigrants – although the Democratic leadership claims that it also includes family members within the United States would legally influence.
Young suggested that lawmakers try to address the issue in the House to avoid a Senate amendment vote, but that if it is not worked out, he would propose the same amendment to the coronavirus bill that had previously received the support of eight Democrats. has.
“I assume this is a political protection effort,” he said of the efforts to address the issue in the House. “But if it promotes good public policy, I’m all for it.”