White House, House Democrats reach deal on coronavirus economic relief package, Pelosi announces

[scarletwoman]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/03/13/paid-leave-democrats-trump-deal-coronavirus/

March 13, 2020 at 5:07 p.m. CDT

The White House and House Democrats reached agreement Friday on a coronavirus relief package to spend tens of billions of dollars on sick leave, unemployment insurance, food stamps and other measures to address the unfolding crisis.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced the agreement in a letter to fellow House Democrats. “We are proud to have reached an agreement with the Administration to resolve outstanding challenges, and now will soon pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.”

A vote to pass the legislation was expected later Friday in the House, and in the Senate next week. (my bold)

<snip>

At one point Pelosi announced that Democrats would be moving forward with a vote, with or without Republicans on board.
But behind the scenes, Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin continued negotiations that began earlier this week, By early Friday evening they had spoken by phone 13 times that day alone.

<snip>

“Our nation, our great nation, has faced crises before,” she said. “And every time, thanks to the courage and optimism, patriotism and perseverance of the American people, we have prevailed. Now, working together, we will once again prevail, and we will come out stronger than before.”

(much more at link)

[Jim__]

1. Any word on whether or not they're suspending the payroll tax?

I can't read the article at WaPo.

[scarletwoman]

2. It's off the table so far, although Trump still wants it.

BTW, I don't know what your financial situation is, but I find it well worth paying for my subscription to the WaPo - it's only $10 a month. I surf through their news coverage and opinion pages daily. I find it very satisfying.

[Jim__]

3. Thanks.

I get what you're saying about the subscription to WaPo, but it's the old story - a billion dollars here, a billion dollars there ... pretty soon you're talking about real money.

[scarletwoman]

4. Hee.

[marlakay]

5. What about the abortion part of it?

How they wanted to attach that to this is beyond me but even my daughter in her mid 30’s heard about that on the news.

[scarletwoman]

7. There's nothing in the article about an abortion attachment to the House bill.

That doesn't mean that the Senate won't blow it up when they get it next week.

[Midnight Writer]

6. But at any time Trump can throw another hissy fit and stop it all.

[scarletwoman]

8. We'll have to see what the Senate does with it next week. (nt)

[bluestarone]

9. Good for him then stock market will

DIVE!! I think THIS MARKET down turn is the ONLY reason that tRUMP, WILL AGREE to sign off!!

[crickets]

10. Yes! Great news. Link to Vox article for those without WaPo subscriptions:

Focus is a little different, but the essential gist is the same.

Democrats have finally struck a deal with the White House on a coronavirus package
Updated Mar 13, 2020, 7:01pm EDT

Here are the main provisions of the House relief package, according to Pelosi’s letter.

Free coronavirus testing: Democratic leaders propose making coronavirus testing free to increase access by requiring private health insurers (plus government programs like Medicare and Medicaid) to cover the cost of testing, including emergency room visits and doctor fees. This will also cover Americans without insurance.

Emergency paid sick days: The bill would give workers 14 days of paid sick leave to be available immediately during the coronavirus (many employers are asking employees to work from home for that amount of time). It ensures sick leave to those impacted by quarantine orders, or those who must stay home to care for their children. The bill reimburses small businesses (those with 50 or fewer employees) for the cost of the 14 additional days of leave.

Emergency paid leave: The bill would create a new federal emergency paid leave program for those unable to work because they have Covid-19, are quarantined, are caring for someone with the disease, or are caring for a child due to coronavirus-related school closings. Eligible workers would receive benefits for a month (the program goes up to three months), and the benefit amount would be two-thirds of the individual’s average monthly earnings. Those receiving pay or unemployment compensation directly through their employers aren’t eligible. There is some precedent for this: Congress expanded unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks for Americans left unemployed by the 2008 financial crisis.

Expanded unemployment insurance: The bill would direct $2 billion to state unemployment insurance programs and waive measures like work search requirements or waiting weeks to those either diagnosed with Covid-19, or those who have lost their jobs due to the spread of the virus.

Expanding food security: The bill would direct $1 billion to expanding access to programs like SNAP, WIC and the emergency food assistance program throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Progressive economists have long believed that expanding existing safety net programs is a highly effective way of stimulating the economy because the low-income people who benefit from them are highly likely to immediately spend any extra money they get — helping stabilize economy-wide demand. The 2009 stimulus bill featured many provisions along these lines. Conservatives, who are critical of those programs in general, tend to be highly skeptical of putting more money into them.

No payroll tax cuts, and this is not the only bill in the works.

Go, Nancy Pelosi, go.

[scarletwoman]

12. Thank you! (nt)

[crickets]

13. NP, and thanks for your post - I was looking for news on this

When people find out about it and then see the Senate or trump* trying to snatch the lifeline away from them, all hell is going to break loose. Mitch McConnell and his fecking Hyde Amendment (abortion language) be damned. This has to pass.

[scarletwoman]

14. It's maddening. So damn sick of Republicans...

[uponit7771]

11. We'll see when he signs it