House Democrats Tuesday introduced a new round of coronavirus legislation costing more than $3 trillion that would provide a historic level of federal aid to those hurt by the pandemic.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi will announce the HEROES Act Tuesday afternoon and has scheduled a Friday vote on the legislation.
The measure provides $1 trillion to state, local, municipal, and tribal governments to help them keep operating without the tax revenue lost because of the economic shutdown.
The measure provides $200 billion in “hazard pay” for those working in grocery stores, medical facilities, and other front-line jobs; a new round of $1,200 direct payments to individuals; and an extension to January of the $600 in extra unemployment insurance benefits now provided to those who lost jobs in the pandemic.
The measure also calls for $175 billion to pay for rent, mortgages, utilities, and other housing costs for those who cannot pay. It would also increase food stamp benefits by 15%.
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The measure adds $25 billion to bail out the U.S. Postal Service, which is badly in debt and threatening that it cannot continue functioning without a new infusion of federal aid.
The measure stands little chance of passing the Senate. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has labeled the measure a partisan wish list.
McConnell and President Trump said they will wait several weeks before deciding what kind of spending package to consider next and said it must include lawsuit liability reforms, which are not part of the package Democrats unveiled Tuesday.
