[ad_1]
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that state and local governments are seeking up to $ 1 trillion (£ 796 billion) for coronavirus costs, a surprising benchmark for the upcoming aid package that you will surely meet with opposition from Senate Republicans.
Pelosi acknowledged that the federal government may not be able to provide as much. But he said money is needed for “heroes” to avoid layoffs, as governors and mayors look red ink on their budgets.
Many jurisdictions face rising costs from the health pandemic and falling revenues in the economic shutdown. Pelosi said the best way Americans can support front-line community workers is by making sure they don’t lose their jobs because of budget cuts.
“This is something of the highest priority,” Pelosi said. “Honor our heroes.”
The $ 1 trillion price comes after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell changed his tune, suggesting he is “open” to considering additional funding in the upcoming coronavirus relief law.
But the staggering figure would be above the nearly $ 3 trillion (£ 2.4 billion) that Congress has already approved to save the economy and tackle the health crisis.
At the White House, Trump said, “We will see what happens. If we do that, we will have to get something for that.”
Congress is partially reopening next week as the House convenes key committee hearings and the Senate rushes into session after being closed for more than a month during the pandemic.
But the legislative branch will be a changed place.
Senators are encouraged to wear masks, stay six feet away, and most staff work from home, according to official guidance. At Republican private lunches, there will be only three senators per table. Democrats will have lunch by conference call.
