Even though Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican and Majority Leader, is moving to present his own measure earlier this week, some Republicans remain skeptical that even another coronavirus package is needed, arguing that part of the aid passed in the stimulus bill enacted in March has not yet been spent.
The two sides remain widely separated in a number of critical policy areas, including maintaining expanded unemployment insurance benefits, which include an additional $ 600 per week. Democrats have said they will accept no less than the $ 3 trillion proposal that House Democrats pushed through their house in May, while Republicans are looking closer to $ 1 trillion in new spending and point to prioritize “children, jobs, health care and liability protection,” according to Mr. McConnell.
But the administration’s suggestions, according to two officials familiar with them, also included funding priorities unrelated to the spread of the coronavirus, including the construction of a new building for the FBI, a long-time priority for President Trump. The administration also suggested eliminating the proposed $ 2 billion allocated to the Indigenous Health Service, which is responsible for providing medical care to more than half of the nation’s tribal citizens and Alaska Natives, who have been devastated by the pandemic. and they are particularly vulnerable to the virus. .
He was relatively unscathed, according to an official, nearly $ 3 billion was set aside for the Department of Homeland Security and about $ 17 billion was proposed for agricultural programs. Some senators are pressing to allocate even more aid to farmers and agricultural programs.
A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Saturday that the discussions were just beginning and that the White House team remained committed to ensuring “appropriate levels in all agencies to address this crisis.”
Led by Mr. Trump, the White House has also lobbied for the inclusion of a payroll tax cut and tax deductions for food and entertainment expenses, though members of both parties have been great with the idea. It is unclear whether administration officials continued to push for such provisions in the Senate Republican opening proposal.
Katie Rogers and Alan Rappeport contributed reports.
