House and Senate Democrats are preparing to battle President Trump on plans to provide an economic stimulus for businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump administration officials, led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and economic adviser Larry Kudlow, plan to brief Republicans Tuesday on a payroll tax cut proposal previewed by Trump during a Monday night news conference.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded with a more expansive wish list that includes paid sick leave, broadened unemployment insurance, free coronavirus testing, and treatment for those who cannot afford medical help.
“In light of reports that the Trump Administration is considering new tax cuts for major corporations impacted by the coronavirus, Leader Schumer and I released a statement calling on the Administration to prioritize the health and safety of American workers and their families over corporate interests,” the California Democrat said in a letter to rank-and-file members of her party Monday evening.
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The president raised the likelihood of an economic stimulus at a Monday press conference that addressed the state of the virus in the United States and plans to test for and treat the illness.
“We are to be meeting with House Republicans, Mitch McConnell, and discussing a possible payroll tax cut or relief, substantial relief, very substantial relief,” he said.
Trump just signed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package aimed at dealing with the virus outbreak, which includes money for the development of a vaccine and to reimburse local governments for their emergency response efforts.
Pelosi said Monday House Democrats would work on stimulus legislation now and vote on it in the coming weeks.
“I don’t know that we can be ready this week, but we can introduce this week. We can introduce it, and we may be ready this week,” she explained.
Schumer said Trump has not discussed his stimulus plan with Democrats, claiming, “They haven’t checked with us, they haven’t called us.”
Pelosi said Democrats will meet Tuesday morning with the House sergeant at arms, the attending physician, and the chief administrative officer “for an update on the continuity of operations protocols for the Capitol and to prepare our offices.”
A handful of lawmakers are in self-quarantine this week after discovering they were exposed to infected individuals. The House and Senate remain in legislative session.
“At the present time, there is no reason for us not to continue with our vital legislative work in the Capitol,” Pelosi told lawmakers Monday.
