Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is hoping to pass the Treasury Department’s request for additional stimulus funding for small businesses.
McConnell took to Twitter with a series of tweets on Wednesday night detailing his plan of action to expand the Payment Protection Plan by an additional $250 billion.
The Kentucky lawmaker also noted that they will likely discuss another “historic” figure for unemployment benefits.
“Ten million Americans were laid off in just the last two weeks. Tomorrow morning will likely bring another historic unemployment figure. This is urgent. If Senators delay this urgent paycheck support to insist on a broader bill, more Americans will lose their jobs unnecessarily,” McConnell tweeted.
Nobody thinks tomorrow will be the Senate’s last word on COVID-19. Other crucial parts of the CARES Act, like its historic funds for hospitals and healthcare providers, are still coming online and have not yet been exhausted. The PPP is where the lights are already flashing red.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) April 9, 2020
Ten million Americans were laid off in just the last two weeks. Tomorrow morning will likely bring another historic unemployment figure. This is urgent. If Senators delay this urgent paycheck support to insist on a broader bill, more Americans will lose their jobs unnecessarily.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) April 9, 2020
While Republicans have stressed the importance of moving forward with the next phase of the stimulus package, there is one hurdle they may face. A unanimous vote may prove to be a difficult feat. The bill could be blocked with just one opposing senator.
However, McConnell is hoping that bipartisan differences can be put aside in order to focus on the bigger issue, at hand.
“I hope none of my colleagues object to my request for these urgently-needed funds,” McConnell tweeted. “There is no reason why this bipartisan job-saving program should be held hostage for other priorities. Let’s re-fund the only program that’s already running dry and keep moving forward together.”
I hope none of my colleagues object to my request for these urgently-needed funds. There is no reason why this bipartisan job-saving program should be held hostage for other priorities. Let's re-fund the only program that's already running dry and keep moving forward together.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) April 9, 2020
McConnell’s latest plan has been met with Democratic opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressed disapproval that McConnell apparently opted to move forward without discussing his intent with him.
In a joint statement, Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered a breakdown of what Congressional Democrats are calling for.
Schumer and Pelosi hope to see $125 billion of the $250 billion “channeled through community-based financial institutions that serve farmers, family, women, minority and veteran-owned small businesses and nonprofits,” the statement reads.
“The American people need to know that their government is there for them in their time of great need,” they wrote.