National overview
West Virginia Gov. asks for large-scale incentives: “If we throw money away now, what then?”
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, on Monday called for a large-scale economic relief bill in comments to CNN. Justice’s remarks come after Senator Joe Manchin (D., WV) called for targeted economic relief to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Manchin came up with the idea of sending $ 2,000 stimulus checks to all Americans earning less than $ 75,000 a year, and instead called for infrastructure projects to put people back to work. On Monday, however, Governor Justice indicated that he would not be too concerned about the price of a new relief bill. “We need to understand that at this point we want to be fiscally responsible for what we do in the country – if we throw money away now, what then?” Justice told Poppy Harlow of CNN. “We really need to move and take care of people and get them back in balance.” Harlow pointed out that Senator Manchin had called for more purposeful relief efforts, but Justice said he had not spoken to the senator about the negotiations on the bill. “I do not know exactly what the thinking may be there,” Justice said. “We have people who are really hurting, and that’s all there is to it.” ** Republican ** Governor of West Virginia @WVGouverneur told me about Stimulus: “At this point, try to be fiscally responsible for what we do in the country, if we’re throwing money away now, so what?” I ask.pic.twitter.com/s93QMWze3m – Poppy Harlow (@PoppyHarlowCNN) February 1, 2021 Justice’s remarks come hours before President Biden meets with ten Senate Republicans to discuss a coronavirus compromise bill, Senator Rob Portman (R., Ohio) told CNN that the compromise bill includes more targeted relief, with $ 1,000 checks to individuals earning $ 50,000 or less, and that would be less expensive than the current $ 1.9 bill. billion proposed by Democrats, while Democrats could try to pass their proposal through budget reconciliation, allowing for a simple majority vote and eliminating the possibility of a GOP filibuster, the party would all 50 need his senators to vote in favor of the measure. That means Manchin will have to agree to the proposal, as well as his moderate Kyrsten Cinema from Arizona.