Trump’s thinking, of course, is always evolving. The president has been obsessed with a payroll tax cut for months, even though it has fallen on deaf ears on Capitol Hill: Senate Republicans and House Democrats don’t care about the proposal, and have rejected it. roundly.
However, Vice President Mike Pence told House Republicans in a conference call this week that they should advocate for a payroll tax, according to the sources of the call.
White House officials have also been talking to Republican Senate leaders about possible elements of a new Republican coronavirus relief bill to be introduced next week, although there is still no sign of whether the leader of the Most Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will include it in that package. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has said he doesn’t like the idea, and Democrats in the House of Representatives have called it a no-start.
“President Grassley looks forward to working with the Administration and fellow lawmakers on the next coronavirus bill,” said Michael Zona, a spokesman for Grassley. “Various proposals for tax relief will be part of the discussion.”
Negotiations will begin in earnest next week, when both chambers return to session after a two-week recess. President Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Suggested Thursday that she has contacted Senate Republicans before the talks, but there are no signs that she and McConnell have held talks.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has served as the top White House negotiator on previous coronavirus relief bills, but so far there have been no talks with Hill’s Democrats.
Trump’s demands for a payroll tax cut come as Senate Republicans, led by McConnell and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), are finalizing language for liability protection, a key priority for the Party. Republican.
According to a summary of POLITICO’s revised liability reform provision, it would provide temporary protections for schools, colleges, charities, churches, government agencies, or businesses against coronavirus exposure lawsuits. Those entities would only be liable “if they failed to make reasonable efforts to follow applicable public health guidelines” or commit “an act of gross negligence.” The provisions are expected to last until 2024, a point of conflict with the Democrats.
The proposal would also provide additional protections for front-line medical workers and protect employers from lawsuits stemming from orders to stay home or from injuries resulting from coronavirus testing.
The summary of the proposal was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Additionally, the proposal would limit the liability of products that meet certain FDA requirements, including types of protective equipment. Liability protections are a key priority for schools and universities looking to reopen in the fall.
