10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

US Senate voting Thursday on ‘skinny’ coronavirus bill

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Senate is expected to vote Thursday on moving forward with a “skinny” coronavirus relief bill, the first vote by the chamber on legislation related to the pandemic since lawmakers returned from the August recess.

The $500 billion proposal, announced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Tuesday, includes $105 billion for schools and universities, $31 billion for developing vaccines and providing medical supplies, and a redesigned Paycheck Protection Program to offer “second draw” loans.

Congress failed to pass another relief bill last month before leaving the nation’s capital. The House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act in May, which has an estimated cost of $3.4 trillion.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, told reporters Wednesday she will vote for the Senate’s measure.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. (File)

“I’m adopting the philosophy of if we cannot agree on a bigger package, let’s at least reach an agreement on where we have bipartisan support, because we’ve had that in the past,” she said. “It shouldn’t be a partisan issue when you’re talking about people that can’t get back to work or small businesses or schools re-opening or child care or any of the things that this bill touches on.”

Capito said legislators need to vote to advance the bill so they can have a foundation for a measure with bipartisan support.

“I think instead of trying to get everybody on it, I think what McConnell is trying to do is get a consensus so we can at least get something to the American public rather than continue this ridiculous non-negotiation that you see going on at the higher levels,” she said.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said on Wednesday’s “MetroNews Talkline” the proposal does nothing for rural hospitals or expanding telehealth service.

“This is the last chance we’re going to get to bite the apple,” Manchin said. “He sent us home the first of August. We should have never recessed. We should have worked right through.”

He also noted the measure does not include any provisions regarding ongoing concerns about the U.S. Postal Service.

“If you let Mitch do what he’s doing now, we’ll never see the light of another bill,” he said.

The Senate has to first vote to end debate on the bill, requiring 60 votes. There are 53 Republicans in the chamber, 45 Democrats and two independents who caucus with Democrats.





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