House Democrats on May 12 released a $3 trillion bill that includes another direct payment to each American as well as nearly $1 trillion for state and local governments that would help those struggling with unbalanced budgets amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another $375 billion would go to cities, counties, and other local governments for the same.
The package includes $25 billion for the U.S. Postal Service, a $45 billion infusion for the small business loan program that’s been tapped by companies across the nation, and $100 billion for emergency rental assistance. And $90 billion is designated for the Department of Education to disperse through a state fiscal stabilization fund, while $75 billion is designated for homeowner assistance.
Billions would go to a slew of agencies and programs, including top health agencies for producing vaccines, therapeutics, and other measures; to states for preparing for elections; and for an Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund.
Homeless assistance programs, struggling public transit systems, utility assistance programs, rental assistance specifically for tenants, and training and employment services would also receive billions of dollars.
The new bill is called the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act.
Democrats plan to convene on May 15 for a vote following a prolonged break after representatives went to their homes from Washington last month.
The new legislation quickly drew criticism from conservatives.
“This bill is a partisan wish list full of outrageously unrelated items. As a country we must stay focused on reopening safely, enabling American society to rise up again and drive the economic recovery,” Romina Boccia, a budget scholar at the Heritage Foundation, said in a statement.
“It’s got so much unrelated to the coronavirus, it’s dead on arrival here in terms of a viable idea,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters on Capitol Hill.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters that the bill “was not something designed to deal with reality, but designed to deal with aspirations.”
Democratic leaders in Congress have pushed a fifth bill for weeks, saying state and local governments require funds, and other programs could use more money, including the food stamp program.
“To those who would suggest a pause, I would say the hunger doesn’t take a pause, the rent doesn’t take a pause,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said during an appearance on MSNBC on May 11. “We have a big need. It’s monumental.”
But Republican leaders and White House officials have said they want to take things slow, saying they don’t see an immediate need for funds.
McConnell said lawmakers were assessing the effectiveness of what was passed in the previous packages.
“I’m in discussion, we all are, with the administration. If we reach the decision, along with the administration, to move to another phase, that'll be the time to interact with the Democrats,” he said.
McConnell said earlier that he and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) are spearheading their own package, which will focus on liability reforms that protect businesses from COVID-related lawsuits.
