Democrats blocked a $2 trillion economic relief package for the second time, pledging to work out a deal with the Trump administration by the end of the day on legislation aimed at helping the economy amid the coronavirus.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said his party is “very close” to a deal with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that would secure enough votes to pass the bill in the Senate.
Democrats want at least a four-month extension in unemployment insurance, extra money for states to pay for treating residents with the coronavirus, and additional worker protection, among other demands.
The House, run by Democrats, plans to release its own economic stimulus bill this afternoon that will rival the Senate bill.
The vote to block the Senate relief package a second time came after an hour of contentious and partisan debate. Republicans accused Democrats of holding up the bill after good faith efforts to work out a bipartisan deal. Democrats said they want to ensure the measure meets the needs of everyday people and is not weighted toward helping big corporations.
Schumer called the second vote “essentially irrelevant” because of talks taking place to secure a deal by the end of the day.
Republicans say the delay is damaging the economy and delaying essential aid to hospitals and medical facilities. They accuse Democrats of delaying the bill in an effort to include “an ideological wish list” that includes tax breaks for wind and solar energy projects and emission reduction requirements for the airline industry.
“We don’t have another minute to delay acting,” Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, said.
