Congressional lawmakers have begun early discussions on potentially issuing another round of COVID-19 stimulus payments for businesses, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.
Source close to the matter told the Post that these early discussions — led by Sens. Ben CardinBenjamin (Ben) Louis CardinEx-RNC chief Michael Steele opts against governor bid Cardin on future of Biden spending bill: ‘A lot of us are gonna be disappointed’ Sunday show preview: Omicron surges, and Harris sits for extensive interview MORE (D-Md.) and Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerCitizenship before partisanship: Is Manchin the ideal candidate for 2024? Senate Republicans call on Biden to lift vaccine mandate for truckers crossing Canadian border The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Uber – Senate debt limit drama ends; Trump legal troubles rise MORE (R-Miss.) — have largely focused on authorizing billions in aid for businesses, including restaurants, gyms, minor league sport teams and entertainment venues.
Cardin currently serves as the chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Wicker is currently the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. According to the Post, Cardin and Wicker last month put together a $68 billion proposal which includes new spending as well plans to repurpose unspent funds from other stimulus packages.
Cardin and Wickers’s offices did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
The two lawmakers spoken with other members of the Senate about the potential stimulus package, including Sens. Maria CantwellMaria Elaine CantwellSenate whistleblower report alleges oversight problems with aerospace industry safety On The Money — Senate risks Trump’s ire with debt ceiling deal Hillicon Valley — Senators unveil social media data-sharing bill MORE (D-Wash.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBiden’s court picks face fierce GOP opposition Without people, there is no preparedness Harry, Meghan push family leave with annual holiday card MORE (R-Maine).
However, a senior Biden administration official told CNN that there are no plans for any further stimulus packages.
“No. There might be something small for restaurants. But the economy is booming, there are millions of open jobs, and we do not believe people should be sitting at home if they are vaccinated and boosted, as most adults are,” they said. “So we are not going to write checks to incentivize people to sit at home, and we are not going to bail out businesses if the economy seems strong.”
White House Press Secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden: Schools should stay open despite omicron wave Biden to note ‘historical significance’ of Jan. 6 at one-year mark Biden tamps down omicron alarm, urges vaccinations MORE addressed these reports on Wednesday during a press briefing.
“We…
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