Dems BLOCK stimulus as Trump wants lawmakers to vote remotely after Rand Paul contracts coronavirus

The third phase of a stimulus package was unable to pass through the Senate Sunday as Democrats blocked the GOP measure meant to target economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.

Senators continued negotiations over the $1.8 trillion bill all weekend, and continued even after the procedure vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward.

The ‘ayes’ fell particular short as five Republicans self-quarantined and were unable to go to the floor to cast their votes.

Donald Trump said Sunday evening that he is in favor of members of Congress having the ability to vote in legislation from their homes as three lawmakers have confirmed they tested positive for coronavirus.

‘We could be in a position where – I certainly would be in favor of it. Where they could vote from a certain outside location. I would be in favor of it,’ Trump said during a White House coronavirus briefing Sunday of the proposed measure.

‘I was thinking about it today, I mean we could be in this – look, with what’s going on, nobody’s seen anything like this. You could have a lot of people in there from Congress,’ he continued. ‘I would be totally in favor of it on a temporary basis.’

Donald Trump said Sunday during the now-daily coronavirus White House briefing that he wants lawmakers to be able to vote remotely while concerns of the pandemic continue to rock the nation

He made the comments at the same time Democrats blocked the GOP phase three economic stimulus package bill from passing through the Senate

He made the comments at the same time Democrats blocked the GOP phase three economic stimulus package bill from passing through the Senate

Five Republicans were not part of that vote after going into isolation over fears of coronavirus as Rand Paul (pictured) announced Sunday afternoon that he tested positive for the virus

Five Republicans were not part of that vote after going into isolation over fears of coronavirus as Rand Paul (pictured) announced Sunday afternoon that he tested positive for the virus

Paul is the first senator to contract the virus, and on Friday was in a GOP luncheon where he came in close contact with several other Republican senators

Paul is the first senator to contract the virus, and on Friday was in a GOP luncheon where he came in close contact with several other Republican senators 

The first two phases of the economic stimulus packages made it through Congress with few hiccups – but the first phase cost $8.3 billion while the second allotted more than 100 billion.

The new GOP bill would filter nearly $2 trillion into the American economy to keep business, industry and citizens financially stable through the uncertainty. 

Passing a third phase could prove even more difficult as more lawmakers leave Washington D.C. and head home to wait out their isolation periods. 

Senator Rand Paul’s office announced Sunday that the Kentucky Republican tested positive for coronavirus and will be quarantining himself.

Two House members, Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican from Florida, and Ben McAdams, a Democrat from Utah, also announced last week they contracted the virus.

Several who have come in contact with these three have isolated themselves to make sure they have not contracted and don’t continue to spread the disease even further.

Among those self-quarantining are Republican Senator Mitt Romney.

‘Since Senator Romney sat next to Senator Paul for extended periods in recent days and consistent with CDC guidance, the attending physician has ordered him to immediately self-quarantine and not to vote on the Senate floor,’ Romney’s office said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

The announcement came about an hour after Paul’s office revealed the senator’s situation.

A reporter at the press briefing told Trump of the senators quarantine themselves, including Senators Romney, Mike Lee of Utah, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Rick Scott of Florida.

‘Romney’s in isolation?’ Trump asked.

‘Yes,’ the reporter clarified.

‘Gee, that’s too bad,’ the president joked.

‘Is that sarcasm there, sir?’ the reported retorted.

‘No, no,’ Trump said, smiling and shaking his head. ‘None whatsoever.’

While Romney’s office added in its statement Sunday that the Utah senator ‘has no symptoms,’ he will ‘be tested.’ 

Senator Mitt Romney's office announced he was self-quarantining since he had sat next to Paul for extended periods of time in the last few days

Senator Mitt Romney’s office announced he was self-quarantining since he had sat next to Paul for extended periods of time in the last few days 

'Romney's in isolation?' Trump asked a reporter questioning him during the press briefing Sunday. 'Gee, that's too bad,' he quipped

‘Romney’s in isolation?’ Trump asked a reporter questioning him during the press briefing Sunday. ‘Gee, that’s too bad,’ he quipped

Trump suggested that he was unsure how long some of the lockdowns and isolations would last as coronavirus continues to rock the nation – and claimed even if it’s usually against the Constitution, he feels it would be appropriate to make a temporary exception.

More than 50 House members have already signed onto a resolution proposed by California Democrat Eric Swalwell demanding that the lower chamber allow remote voting.

The measure argues that Congress is breaking the guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on social distancing by gathering hundreds of people into the same space for sessions.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois and Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio are proposing a similar remote voting resolution on the Senate side of Congress.

‘Yes, it is new,’ Durbin said on the Senate floor of the idea of remote voting. ‘Yes, it is different. Yes, it reflects the 21st century and reflects a challenge the likes of which we have never seen.’

The impact of coronavirus in the U.S. have skyrocketed in the last week to more than 30,200 confirmed cases and nearing 400 deaths.  

Romney said Sunday before going into isolation that all senators are now seeking medical advice on how to proceed and are considering self-quarantine after all GOP senators attended lunch with Paul on Friday.

‘Rand Paul has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Wish him the very best. He’s compromised given health conditions he’s had in the past. And so we’ll be praying for him and thinking about it,’ he Utah senator told reporters at the Capitol Sunday, referencing Rand’s previous medical issues following getting jumped by a neighbor in 2017.

The assailant broke five of Paul’s ribs and in August 2019, the senator had to have part of his lung removed as a result of the injuries he sustained during the attack.

‘And, of course, all the senators are going to seek medical advice as to what action we should take to make sure that we don’t, in any way, spread this virus, ourselves,’ he continued.

When asked about the GOP lunch, Romney confirmed Paul attended and suggested he came in close contact with many of the senators.

‘Yes, yes, we were in lunch together with Rand,’ Romney said. ‘Hope he’s doing very well, but we have to determine whether any of us should self-quarantine as a result of being in the same room.’ 

WHAT’S IN REPUBLICANS’ CORONAVIRUS ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled the details of the phase three economic stimulus package from the Senate floor Thursday

CASH FOR SMALL BUSINESSES  

McConnell said : ‘A rapid injection of cash to help small businesses through this turmoil’ 

What it means: – Small businesses will be given money to pay THEIR rent and workers 

– Will be given through a grant that they will not need to pay back 

– Cannot be used for owners to give themselves raises or increase their profits 

CHECKS FOR FAMILIES 

McConnell said: ‘Senate Republicans want to put cash in the hands of the American people’

What it means: – According to the Associated Press individuals will receive $1,200 and couple will get $2,400 plus $500 per child, with some income restrictions  

– Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said each household will receive $1,000 per adult and $500 per child within three weeks of the bill passing 

LOANS FOR BIG BUSINESS 

McConnell said: ‘Entire sectors are being crushed by public health guidance, which is obviously no fault of their own’

What it means: – Industries will receive money and additional loans, which they must pay back, to help with ongoing costs

– McConnell clarified this money is not a bailout because the companies haven’t made any mistakes  

MORE CASH FOR HOSPITALS?

McConnell said: ‘This is primarily a health crisis with an economic crisis strapped to its back’ 

What it means: – The measure will remove barriers to care and speed up innovation, like progress toward on a vaccine

– Fund hospitals and other health care centers

– Expand healthcare workers’ access to essential tools like respirator masks and ventilators

 

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