Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed a critical vote on an economic relief package at the last minute after Democrats announced they oppose the measure without further changes.
Their objections threatened to sink the bill, which was up for a 3 p.m. vote that would have allowed debate to begin on the bill.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, urged Democrats to at least advance the bill, which would still allow more time for talks. Now that the vote is postponed, lawmakers have additional time to try to come to an agreement by tonight.
Senate and House Democrats oppose parts of the bill and are holding out for changes. McConnell wants them to vote for the shell measure that will serve as the vehicle for the $2 trillion bipartisan bill, which is mostly complete but could still see changes to win over more Democrats.
“Now what we have to do is move forward,” McConnell said in a floor speech. “This national crisis is not going to wait around if Congress slips back to partisan politics or haggles endlessly over the finer points.”
After a closed-door meeting between top bipartisan leaders and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin Sunday morning, Democrats said they would not support the bill in its current form.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said the House would instead introduce a bill that could align with the Senate version. Democrats want stronger worker protections, more money for hospitals and medical facilities, and stronger controls for corporate aid.
McConnell urged Democrats to get behind the Senate version, which is the product of days of bipartisan talks.
“The risks to our country grow every single day that we do not act,” McConnell said.
McConnell warned Democrats against using the negotiations to try to include items on their liberal wish list that fall outside the scope of the coronavirus threat.
“This is not a political opportunity,” McConnell said. “It’s a national emergency.”
