U.S. Senate awaits House coronavirus bill, Schumer proposes $750 bln more in emergency spending

Even as the U.S. Senate grappled over what to do with a wide-ranging coronavirus economic stimulus bill passed by the House of Representatives, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Monday urged an additional $750 billion to address the crisis. "We will need big, bold, urgent federal action to deal with this crisis," Schumer said in a statement outlining a plan to fund a range of emergency operations, including boosting hospital capacity, expanding jobless benefits, delivering help to small businesses and funding childcare for healthcare workers.

The proposal - which approaches the magnitude of the response to the 2008 financial crisis - came as lawmakers argued over the fine points of the more modest multibillion-dollar coronavirus relief bill already passed by the Democratic-controlled House. At the opposite end of the political spectrum from Schumer, Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas also called for a more aggressive response to the outbreak, saying tax breaks in the House-passed bill were not structured in a way to help employees of businesses that have to shut down.

"The House bill doesn’t go far enough and it doesn’t go fast enough," Cotton, a conservative, said in remarks on the Senate floor. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also huddled with Republican senators in a closed-door meeting to discuss existing coronavirus legislation "and more," a source familiar with the situation said.

"The Senate is committed to meeting these uncertain times with bold and bipartisan solutions," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a speech on the chamber floor, noting that the House had not yet forwarded its bill for the Senate to vote on. It was unclear whether the 53 Republicans in the 100-seat Senate would coalesce around that wide-ranging measure. The 45 Democratic and two independent senators are seen as likely to vote for the bill.

The House-passed measure would require paid sick leave for some workers, expanded unemployment compensation and nearly $1 billion in additional money to help feed children, homebound senior citizens and others, and has White House backing. Without the permission of all 100 senators to move quickly, McConnell likely would have to gather a super majority of at least 60 votes for the House bill to clear procedural hurdles.

His other option would be to amend the House bill to shore up Republican backing. But doing so would require final approval by the House when it returns from a recess next week. THIRD CORONAVIRUS MEASURE?

Congress has already passed and Republican President Donald Trump has signed an $8.3 billion bill aimed at helping develop a coronavirus vaccine, ensure better supplies of medical equipment and help state and local governments deal with the burgeoning crisis. Some Republicans discussed the possibility of staying in session this week to craft a third coronavirus measure aimed at stimulating the economy and aiding industries.

"Then there are some who think ... we'd better do phase three at the same time, because we might not be coming back if somebody gets coronavirus or whatever," said Republican Senator Mitt Romney, who also proposed sending $1,000 to each adult American to help "meet their short-term obligations and increase spending in the economy." Even as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States rapidly rose to more than 3,800 and the number of deaths to more than 70, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, some Republican senators were challenging the House bill.

"The president and states already have adequate authority and funding to address the current situation," Senate Homeland Security and Government Operations Chairman Ron Johnson said in a statement on Saturday, saying the House-passed bill would force small businesses "to pay wages they cannot afford." An aide to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the House was now scheduled to return from a recess on March 24, a day later than originally planned.

Members also were advised that leaders were working on plans to limit the number of lawmakers allowed on the floor at any one time to help control the spread of the coronavirus.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)