Author: Thornrun

Amid rising concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, House Democrats have introduced an economic stimulus measure aimed at stemming the economic impacts of the virus. The package includes emergency provisions that would provide paid sick leave, extended unemployment insurance, expanded food aid to low-income families, and coverage to ensure free testing and treatment. The House is expected to pass the bill at some point today. However, immediate action in the Senate appears unlikely after Congressional Republican leadership — including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — announced their opposition to the effort this morning. If disagreements on the response bill continue to linger, lawmakers could work through the weekend to try and get the bill on President Donald Trump’s desk as quickly as possible.

House Democrats are preparing to introduce a package of emergency economic measures aimed at stemming the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The bill — which could be introduced as early as today — is likely to promote paid sick leave for certain workers, funding for children’s school lunches, increased spending on social safety-net programs, and expanded unemployment insurance. House lawmakers are aiming to vote on the package prior to leaving Washington for the next district work period, yet a timeline in the Senate is unclear as of now.

The Trump administration, along with Congressional lawmakers, are weighing potential options to counteract an economic downturn as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. During a press conference yesterday, President Donald Trump stated that he plans to propose payroll tax relief, as well as assistance for hourly-wage workers that are impacted by the effects of the outbreak. Meanwhile, lawmakers are mulling other options that currently enjoy bipartisan support — including an expanded paid leave benefit and food assistance for recipients of free and reduced-cost meals at school — and could formulate into a legislative response as soon as this week, according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

Both chambers of Congress will reconvene for legislative business this afternoon as Senators look to wrap up work on a bipartisan package of energy-related legislation. The measure compiles more than 50 bills out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee aimed at fostering innovation in clean energy technology. The Senate will vote on a motion to end debate on the bill later this evening, with a vote on final passage likely to occur in the middle of this week.

Following Senate passage of a $8.3 billion coronavirus response spending bill late yesterday, President Donald Trump signed the bill into law this morning. The measure combines new funding for treatments for the virus, public health agencies, and community preparedness with a waiver of restrictions on Medicare telehealth coverage during the outbreak. It also stipulates that vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics developed using funds authorized by the package must be made available to government purchasers for a “fair and reasonable” price, but does not go as far on pricing in the commercial market.

Congress is moving swiftly on a supplemental appropriations package that seeks to address the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the $7.8 billion package yesterday afternoon after the bill’s release was delayed over issues pertaining to vaccine pricing, telehealth coverage, and hospital reimbursement. The Senate is expected to quickly follow suit and pass the funding bill prior to the end of the week.

Former Vice President Joe Biden turned in a strong showing at yesterday’s “Super Tuesday” primary elections, winning ten out of the 14 states up for grabs: TX, NC, VA, MA, AK, AL, ME, TN, OK, and MN. While votes are still being counted in several states, Vice President Biden’s performance is projected to propel him over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) — who won CA, VT, UT, and CO — on the delegate leaderboard. Meanwhile, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg suspended his campaign this morning following yesterday’s results and endorsed Vice President Biden, thus further consolidating moderate Democratic support around the former Vice President’s candidacy. The next contests in the Democratic presidential primary will take place on Tuesday, Mar. 10, as voters will head to the polls in ID, MI, MS, MO, ND, and WA.