Should Congress pass this $2.5 trillion bill during the coronavirus outbreak?
Bill Summary
This $2.5 trillion spending bill allocates additional money to help combat the impact of coronavirus on families, business, and the economy. Among other things, the bill gives individuals $1,500, waives $10,000 in federal student loans, gives $150 billion to hospitals, and expands paid sick leave. The bill additionally would give childcare to healthcare employees, provide grants to small businesses, and requires companies getting federal assistance during the outbreak to have a $15 minimum wage.
This is the House counter proposal to the Senate's $1.8 trillion spending bill.
Sponsor: Rep. Nita Lowey (Democrat, New York, District 17)
View full bill text ➔
How do you feel?
One click sends your opinion
Oppose
Support
Opponents say
• “Republicans had a deal until Nancy Pelosi rode into town from her extended vacation… The Democrats want the Virus to win? They are asking for things that have nothing to do with our great workers or companies.” Source: President Donald Trump
• “People are sick, families are frightened, our economy has ground to a halt, and workers face unprecedented job loss... Democrats are using this national crisis to hold relief hostage unless Congress mandates corporate board diversity requirements and major components of the Green New Deal which will kill American jobs.” Source: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Republican, California, District 23)
• “People are sick, families are frightened, our economy has ground to a halt, and workers face unprecedented job loss... Democrats are using this national crisis to hold relief hostage unless Congress mandates corporate board diversity requirements and major components of the Green New Deal which will kill American jobs.” Source: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Republican, California, District 23)
Proponents say
• “The Senate Republicans’ bill, as presented, put corporations first, not workers and families. Today, House Democrats will unveil a bill that takes responsibility for the health, wages and well-being of America’s workers: the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act.” Source: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, California, District 12)
• “This is a great plan. What it says is if you lose your job in this crisis you can be furloughed by your employer. That means you stay on that employers work list, if you have health benefits with the employer you can keep getting them, but most importantly the federal government will pay your salary -- your full salary -- for now four months. We had asked for four months and four months looks like what we're going to get when we come to this agreement” Source: Sen. Chuck Schumer (Democrat, New York)
• “This is a great plan. What it says is if you lose your job in this crisis you can be furloughed by your employer. That means you stay on that employers work list, if you have health benefits with the employer you can keep getting them, but most importantly the federal government will pay your salary -- your full salary -- for now four months. We had asked for four months and four months looks like what we're going to get when we come to this agreement” Source: Sen. Chuck Schumer (Democrat, New York)
- Pelosi unveils $2.5 trillion counterproposal to GOP coronavirus stimulus (Axios)
- Pelosi Statement Ahead of Unveiling of Democrats’ Third Coronavirus Response Bill (Press Release)
- Why Nancy Pelosi proposed her own $2.5 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill (Vox)
- Pelosi’s $2.5 Trillion Virus Bill Delays Mortgage, Car Payments (Bloomberg)
- Negotiators signal deal on stimulus close and could pass Congress on Tuesday (CNN)
