Congress must begin drafting a fourth relief package to deal with the impact of the coronavirus, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday.
Pelosi, a California Democrats, said the $2 trillion economic relief measure the Senate passed last Wednesday is insufficient to address the needs of state and local governments, workers, and other entities affected by the spread of the virus.
Pelosi said she would begin working on the legislation, but a final deal will have to be crafted between leaders in both parties.
[READ: Senate’s $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package]
Among the provisions in a fourth relief measure would be changes to the law to expand who qualifies for family and medical leave benefits, stronger occupations, safety and health protections for workers, a bigger bailout for struggling pensions, expanded food stamp payments, and more money for state and local governments to deal with the cost of treating the coronavirus, which has overrun some hospitals and medical facilities.
“We’ll be taking the lead,” Pelosi told reporters, adding that she’ll be in Washington and her committee heads would be writing the critical sections of the bill.
The Senate late Wednesday passed the third and by far largest of three measures to address the pandemic. The Senate bill includes $2 trillion in direct aid to workers, families, healthcare facilities, and businesses of all sizes.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Senate would not meet again for regular business until April 20 but would “stay nimble” and return sooner “if circumstances require.”
Pelosi suggested they might need to return sooner.
Pelosi said the Senate-passed measure fell short in many areas, including not ensuring enough worker protections or money for states and local governments, for example. She said the measure did not provide enough money for the District of Columbia and allowed funds normally provided for territories. The D.C. government should be treated like a state, Pelosi said.
“The list goes on,” Pelosi said.
The House is scheduled to take up the Senate bill at 9 a.m. on Friday. Lawmakers will debate the measure, but leaders are hoping to pass it by a voice vote, which is possible only if no lawmaker requests a roll call.
“It will pass with strong bipartisan support,” Pelosi predicted.
“But if we don’t, we’ll be prepared for whatever it is. We will be passing the bill tomorrow.”
