Trump says he’s looking at ‘big, bold’ economic stimulus package, including sending checks to Americans

Photo: Jack Gruber/USA Today.

WASHINGTON — […]

“This is not a time to be cheap”

As Trump calls on Congress to go “big” on a stimulus to offset the economic impact of the coronavirus, GOP senators are weighing options for how to get that done. One option is to approve an already passed House bill that focuses on ensuring paid sick leave for workers and then begin work right away on a larger package. Some Republicans are pushing the idea of melding the elements of the House package with bigger steps such as sending checks to American households. For the moment, many Senate Republicans are setting aside worries about the deficit impact of the coronavirus package, which could reach $1 trillion or more. “Well, I’m about as conservative fiscally as you can be,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. “This would not be the first preference of anybody. But then it wasn’t the first preference of anybody that some of our people got sick. So we’ve got to deal with it and this is not a time to be cheap.”

– Christal Hayes […]

Cornyn: talks about remote voting underway

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said there are discussions underway about the possibility of voting remotely, but noted it would take a rules change in the Senate to make such a proposal possible, something that would need a supermajority – 67 votes – for approval. “The Senate is a pretty tradition-bound place,” he said. “But these are extraordinary circumstances.”

– Christal Hayes […]

McConnell: Senate won’t leave until another coronavirus package is passed

Speaking on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate would not adjourn until another, larger coronavirus assistance package is passed. “The Senate will not adjourn until we have passed significant and bold new steps above and beyond what the House has passed to help our strong nation and our strong underlying economy,” he said. McConnell said he wanted “more direct assistance” for workers and families, as well as steps to protect small businesses. Negotiations were ongoing over further legislation, he said.

– Nicholas Wu […]