Democratic members of Congress are putting together a new coronavirus relief plan, which could be ready as soon as this week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters Monday that the legislation could be ready for a vote by the end of the week.
“We are putting it together. Its not like we just woke up and started thinking about this. Our committees of jurisdiction have been working on it and we have worked all weekend on it, and, we should have something,” she said in Washington.
While the plan could be introduced this week, it has to be analyzed by the Congressional Budget Office for estimated costs. The timeline depends on “how quickly they can get something back to us,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi suggested that absent action this week, lawmakers could wait until they come back from their previously scheduled spring recess.
She and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters that the package will focus on making coronavirus tests free, providing paid leave for parents who have to stay home because of school closings, addressing unemployment insurance for people who could be laid off due to the virus, and giving food to families who typically depend on lunches provided at school.
“If theres going to be relief, it ought to be aimed at the families that are most affected,” Schumer said.
Other lawmakers are mulling options to provide relief to people affected by the new virus.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is looking into the possibility of “targeted tax relief measures that could provide a timely and effective response to the coRead More – Source
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The Epoch Times
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