TOPLINE
As lawmakers scramble for the next round of coronavirus aid, President Trump on Wednesday voiced his support for a short-term stimulus deal that would include additional eviction protections before more important legislation is passed; It is the latest sign of a divide between the White House and Senate Republicans who have struggled to present a unified front on stimulus federal legislation before negotiations with Democrats.
United States President Donald Trump speaks as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the head of the White House … [+]
KEY FACTS
Speaking to reporters with the President, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a short-term interim bill that would include eviction protections and the extension of federal supplemental unemployment benefits should be considered if lawmakers cannot come up with a agreement on a solution for Friday, Political reported.
Democratic lawmakers strongly oppose a phased approach to the next round of legislation and have criticized Republicans for their string of disorganized and chaotic proposals.
The Republican Party’s latest stimulus plan does not include new eviction protections, and would reduce federal unemployment benefits to $ 200 per week until states can implement a 70% wage replacement program.
A CARES eviction moratorium for tenants living in buildings with federally-backed mortgages, about a third of American tenants, expired last week.
There are 12 states, including Texas and Kansas, that do not have eviction protections, which means that millions of tenants are at risk of eviction if the federal government does not intervene.
Crucial quote
“You should work on evictions, so that people are not evicted. You work on paying people, “Trump told reporters Wednesday, according to the Wall street journal. “The rest of us are so far apart that we don’t care. We really don’t care. We want to take care of people. “
Key background
Democrats approved his proposal for more coronavirus aid (the $ 3 billion Heroes Act) in the House in May, although it was ignored by the Senate and will not become law; That bill included a provision to extend the CARES Act moratorium along with billions of dollars in rental assistance. The Republican proposal, a series of separate bills and plans announced by multiple senators and committees, was unveiled Monday; it would not extend the moratorium on evictions.
Further reading
A federal eviction moratorium that protects millions ends today. Tenants in these states are at higher risk. (Forbes)
Second Stimulus Unemployment Update: Over 30% of Americans Couldn’t Last a Month Without $ 600 Checks (Forbes)
Second stimulus: Republicans rebel against their own bill: this is what they oppose (Forbes)
There will be no confrontation in the next stimulus bill COVID-19. Pelosi has already won. (Forbes)
