The Democratic House of Representatives passed a pared-down coronavirus spending bill with mostly Democratic support after bipartisan talks failed to produce a compromise deal.
The bill passed 214-207, with 17 Democrats voting against it.
The $2.2 trillion measure stands little chance of ever becoming law. Senate Republicans have already indicated they won’t consider the bill, and it is far more costly than a White House offer of roughly $1.6 trillion.
House Republicans rejected the Democratic measure as a political exercise meant to bolster the party ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
“This is about politics, this is about grandstanding,” said Rep. Lee Zeldin, a New York Republican. “Instead of sending the chamber home and ending up with nothing, how about doing our jobs and cutting a deal?”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, have been in talks for days in an effort to reach a deal on a new round of federal aid that would provide a new round of stimulus payments, enhanced unemployment benefits, and money for schools and healthcare. But the two sides remained very far apart late Thursday.
Pelosi instead brought up the $2.2. trillion measure up for a vote, providing Democrats an opportunity to vote on a spending bill before leaving town to campaign ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Pelosi said she wants the bill to serve as a starting point for a future deal with Republicans.
“I thought it was really important to formally put forth the work of our chairs, which is excellent and which meets the needs,” Pelosi said. “It sets an example.”
The measure includes nearly $500 billion for state, local, and tribal governments, $225 billion for schools and child care, and $71 billion in rental assistance. It also would provide assistance to airline workers, who are facing furloughs on a massive scale. The measure would also provide $600 in weekly bonus federal jobless pay and a new round of $1,200 stimulus checks for some people.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, said Republicans and Democrats will continue to hold talks on a deal that can pass both chambers and win President Trump’s support.
“Negotiations are ongoing right now,” Hoyer said. “And I hope we will reach a bipartisan agreement. We also want to let the American people know where we stand. We believe this bill is a reasonable compromise.”
Republicans said the bill includes measures unrelated to the coronavirus, such as a provision repealing a cap on property tax deductions that will benefit mostly wealthier people in blue states. Republicans said Mike Bloomberg, who is backing Democratic candidates, would save $160 million if the cap is repealed.
The measure includes other unrelated provisions, according to the GOP, including a provision allowing ballot harvesting and removing a requirement for voters to produce photo identification, which is required in some states.
“What does that have to do with COVID relief?” asked House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican.
Republicans also criticized a provision allowing illegal immigrants to receive $1,200 stimulus checks.
A group of Republicans and Democrats belonging to the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus last month released a bill that would provide roughly $1.7 trillion in coronavirus aid. The Republican members of the caucus called on the House to put aside the $2.2 trillion measure and take up their bill.
“This bill before us today is about wanting the politics of the issue more than the results,” said Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, an Ohio Republican and Problem Solvers Caucus member. “The people are sick and tired of watching this Congress fight like cats and dogs. And the American people are rightly disgusted.”
Pelosi rejected any “skinny deal” and said the needs related to the coronavirus are far greater and deserved at least the amount of funding Democrats are insisting the federal government provide.
“People say, Take half a loaf,’” Pelosi said, characterizing the GOP and some centrist Democrats who want her to agree to a less costly bill. “The children need more than the heel of a half a loaf. We have challenges in our community that we must address in a bigger way.”
