© Bonnie Cash
Lawmakers are moving quickly to try to pass emergency coronavirus funding before a mid-March break, with negotiators eyeing finalizing an agreement by early next week.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby
Richard Craig ShelbyGraham backs Trump, vows no money for WHO in next funding bill Five things being discussed for a new coronavirus relief bill Infrastructure bill gains new steam as coronavirus worsens MORE (R-Ala.) and House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey
Nita Sue LoweyHouse Democrats unveil coronavirus economic response package Biden rolls out over a dozen congressional endorsements after latest primary wins Trump, Congress struggle for economic deal under coronavirus threat MORE (D-N.Y.) are negotiating an emergency spending package.
Richard Craig ShelbyGraham backs Trump, vows no money for WHO in next funding bill Five things being discussed for a new coronavirus relief bill Infrastructure bill gains new steam as coronavirus worsens MORE (R-Ala.) and House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita LoweyNita Sue LoweyHouse Democrats unveil coronavirus economic response package Biden rolls out over a dozen congressional endorsements after latest primary wins Trump, Congress struggle for economic deal under coronavirus threat MORE (D-N.Y.) are negotiating an emergency spending package. Shelby told reporters the spending package will provide a "much higher" figure than the $2.5 billion requested by the Trump administration, predicting the final deal will be more than $4 billion.
"We want to make sure if this stuff really spreads that we're doing our job," Shelby said.
Shelby added that the bill would have a "clawback" option if the agencies ended up not needing the money. He added that he thinks they will be to a "point of moving" a final agreement by the start of next week.
Lawmakers and their staff have been racing behind the scenes this week to try to come up with a package to combat the coronavirus that could easily pass both chambers.
Meanwhile, the stock market has plummeted this week amid fears of a coronavirus epidemic within the United States.
If Congress is going to pass the coronavirus funding before a mid-March recess, it has approximately 10 working days to finalize the legislation, get it passed in both the House and Senate and then put it on Trump's desk for the president's signature.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin Owen McCarthyLawmakers outline proposals for virtual voting Phase-four virus relief hits a wall House GOP leaders back effort to boost small-business loans MORE (R-Calif.) told reporters Thursday that he hoped the House could take up a coronavirus package next week.
Kevin Owen McCarthyLawmakers outline proposals for virtual voting Phase-four virus relief hits a wall House GOP leaders back effort to boost small-business loans MORE (R-Calif.) told reporters Thursday that he hoped the House could take up a coronavirus package next week. "I'm hopeful that we can get this done next week. This isn't something to wait around. ... And I will give credit to the appropriators who have been sitting in the room, making it happen," McCarthy said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellLawmakers outline proposals for virtual voting Overnight Health Care: Trump calls report on hospital shortages 'another fake dossier' | Trump weighs freezing funding to WHO | NY sees another 731 deaths | States battle for supplies | McConnell, Schumer headed for clash Phase-four virus relief hits a wall MORE (R-Ky.), meanwhile, said he wants the Senate to pass the bill before the break when lawmakers will leave by March 13 for a week-long recess.
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellLawmakers outline proposals for virtual voting Overnight Health Care: Trump calls report on hospital shortages 'another fake dossier' | Trump weighs freezing funding to WHO | NY sees another 731 deaths | States battle for supplies | McConnell, Schumer headed for clash Phase-four virus relief hits a wall MORE (R-Ky.), meanwhile, said he wants the Senate to pass the bill before the break when lawmakers will leave by March 13 for a week-long recess. President Trump
Donald John TrumpCDC updates website to remove dosage guidance on drug touted by Trump Trump says he'd like economy to reopen 'with a big bang' but acknowledges it may be limited Graham backs Trump, vows no money for WHO in next funding bill MORE and Democrats have proposed vastly different amounts for coronavirus funding.
Donald John TrumpCDC updates website to remove dosage guidance on drug touted by Trump Trump says he'd like economy to reopen 'with a big bang' but acknowledges it may be limited Graham backs Trump, vows no money for WHO in next funding bill MORE and Democrats have proposed vastly different amounts for coronavirus funding. The White House initially requested $2.5 billion: $1.25 billion in new funding and the rest taken from existing health programs, including $535 million from fighting Ebola.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerHealth care workers account for 20 percent of Iowa coronavirus cases Pressure mounts on Congress for quick action with next coronavirus bill Schumer names coronavirus czar candidates in plea to White House MORE (D-N.Y.) meanwhile requested $8.5 billion in all new funding.
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerHealth care workers account for 20 percent of Iowa coronavirus cases Pressure mounts on Congress for quick action with next coronavirus bill Schumer names coronavirus czar candidates in plea to White House MORE (D-N.Y.) meanwhile requested $8.5 billion in all new funding. He and Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiLawmakers outline proposals for virtual voting Mattis defends Pentagon IG removed by Trump Overnight Health Care: Trump calls report on hospital shortages 'another fake dossier' | Trump weighs freezing funding to WHO | NY sees another 731 deaths | States battle for supplies | McConnell, Schumer headed for clash MORE (D-Calif.) released a handful of requirements for a coronavirus funding deal, including that vaccines be "affordable and available to all that need it" and that Trump cannot transfer the money to fund anything other than the coronavirus and infectious diseases.
Nancy PelosiLawmakers outline proposals for virtual voting Mattis defends Pentagon IG removed by Trump Overnight Health Care: Trump calls report on hospital shortages 'another fake dossier' | Trump weighs freezing funding to WHO | NY sees another 731 deaths | States battle for supplies | McConnell, Schumer headed for clash MORE (D-Calif.) released a handful of requirements for a coronavirus funding deal, including that vaccines be "affordable and available to all that need it" and that Trump cannot transfer the money to fund anything other than the coronavirus and infectious diseases.Shelby acknowledged that his final deal with Lowey would go above the White House request but that "we're not interested in going that high," referring to Schumer's figure.
Helping leave the door open for negotiations, Trump largely deferred the final figure to lawmakers during a press conference on Wednesday.
"Congress is talking to us about funding, and we're getting far more than what we asked for. And, I guess, the best thing to do is take it. We'll take it," he said.
