Republicans are demanding a full, 600- page costs reading– and painful, multi-hour “vote-a-rama”– as Democrats forge ahead with their plan to pass President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bundle.
Why it matters: The procedural war is aimed at forcing Democrats to protect a number of parts the GOP thinks about unneeded and partisan. While the process won’t substantially affect the last version of the mammoth expense, it’ll provide lots of ammo for future campaign messaging.
- The timetable is uncertain, but the clock likely won’t begin ticking until Thursday, and last passage may not come up until this weekend.
What to expect: The Congressional Spending Plan Workplace and Joint Committee on Tax need to send their expense “rating” of the legislation to the Senate, which is anticipated Thursday. The chamber will then begin 20 hours of dispute.
- Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) informed a radio station in his state he plans to force the clerk to check out the 600- to 700- page bill.
- That would likely tack another 10 hours to the 20 hours allotted for debate, Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) informed press reporters.
- Along the way, the GOP will offer amendments both associated and unrelated to the legislation, needing a string of uneasy elect Democrats.
What they’re saying: “ We’re actually going to continue to hammer on all the nonsense that’s non-COVID related that has been loaded into this Democratic desire list,” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told press reporters.
- ” I would expect a very long night into the next day and keep going on. A lot to still cover,” stated Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).
- Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said Democrats can afford to burn a day or more, however, “I just feel sorry for the reading clerk.”
The huge picture: Democrats are quick approaching Biden’s deadline for signing the American Rescue Plan Act before numerous coronavirus relief benefits end on March 14.
- While the bill should still be reconciled with the version the House passed, Democratic leaders tell Axios they stay hopeful the procedure will be signed into law by the end of next week.
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