McConnell Dubbed Democrats' $3.4 Trillion Relief Package as 'Unserious'
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lambasted the Democratic COVID-19 relief package on Tuesday, after Democratic nominee Joe Biden pressed Congress to pass it.
"House Democrats' so-called 'HEROES Act' is so unserious that it was condemned by the Speaker's own moderate Democrats the instant she put it out," McConnell was quoted in on his tweet.
The Senate leader added that there would be huge tax cuts for rich people in blue states, but there would be no second round of Paycheck Protection Program, asking if those were the priorities.
McConnell is pertaining to the measure to remove the $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction.
This was known as SALT. Experts said that would be largely beneficial to wealthy taxpayers.
Biden pressed Congress on Monday to pass the $3.4 trillion COVID-19 relief package.
The said package includes direct payments amounting to $1,200, $600 federal unemployment benefits, important state aid, and more budget for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.
"Refusal of Democrats, Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control," Biden was quoted in a Business Insider report.
He added that this is a conscious decision, saying that if they can decide not to cooperate, they could also decide to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Republicans have strongly opposed the said relief package since House Democrats first passed it in May.
There might be no sign that the Republican's position has changed.
The GOP has proposed to pass a bill with smaller price cap of $500 billion.
This would include assistance for small businesses, health funds, and federal unemployment benefts.
Related story: Next COVID-19 Relief Package: Immigrants Must Be Included
Sen. Richard Shelby said on Tuesday that he thinks right now that Democrats would have to come a long way back reality to get them a bill.
Shelby is the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear how both parties would connect these important divisions before Congress adjourns next month.
In addition, McConnell is said to play a bigger role in creating the stimulus plan, now that U.S. President Donald Trump takes a back seat.
Economists are asking lawmakers to approve another stimulus package to keep struggling people and businesses afloat.
This can particularly be helpful as the COVID-19 cases continue to climb up, causing states and cities to reimposed lockdown restrictions to curb the further spread of the virus.
However, the lawmakers are focusing on passing spending bills to keep federal agencies funded for the next fiscal year.
The spending bills would need to be approved before Dec. 11 top prevent a government shutdown.
McConnell said on Tuesday that he and the Speaker would like to do that.
Related story: Biden Speaks With Schumer, Pelosi on Passing New COVID-19 Relief Package
He added that he hopes that will be the view of the administration as well.
In June, the unemployment rate in the United States was at 11 percent, according to an USA Today report.
Some U.S. cities, many of which are major economic hubs, were massively impacted than it is nationwide.
This includes Fresno, California with an unemployment rate of 15.1 percent in June, as well as Modesto, California with 15.2 percent unemployment rate in the same period.
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