Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth Ann WarrenBiden looks to shore up lead in S.C. Hillicon Valley: Dems cancel surveillance vote after pushback to amendments | Facebook to ban certain coronavirus ads | Lawmakers grill online ticketing execs | Hacker accessed facial recognition company's database Push for national popular vote movement gets boost from conservatives MORE (D-Mass.) introduced legislation on Thursday to redirect border wall funding to combating the coronavirus.
The bill, according to Warren’s office, would result in approximately $10 billion being shifted from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“Rather than use taxpayer dollars to pay for a monument to hate and division, my bill will help ensure that the federal government has the resources it needs to adequately respond to this emergency,” the 2020 Democratic hopeful said in a statement.
The White House has suggested $2.5 billion to combat the coronavirus, while Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerTrump passes Pence a dangerous buck Democratic mega-donor reaching out to Pelosi, Schumer in bid to stop Sanders: report Trump administration freezes funding for study of hurricane barriers: report MORE (D-N.Y.) is requesting $8.5 billion.
What number lawmakers will end up at as they negotiate on a supplemental bill remains unclear.
“The United States government must do more to address the spread of the deadly coronavirus in a smart, strategic, and serious way and we stand ready to work in a bipartisan fashion in Congress and with the administration to achieve this necessary goal,” Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiTrump passes Pence a dangerous buck Overnight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Stone judge under pressure over calls for new trial MORE (D-Calif.) said on Thursday in a joint statement.
“Lives are at stake — this is not the time for name-calling or playing politics,” they added.
Top Republicans — including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyOvernight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Trump names Pence to lead coronavirus response McCarthy: White House coronavirus funding request 'a little low' MORE (R-Calif.) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby Richard Craig ShelbyOvernight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds McCarthy: White House coronavirus funding request 'a little low' Schumer requesting .5 billion in emergency funding on coronavirus MORE (R-Ala.) — have also indicated that they want a higher number than the initial White House offer.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOvernight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Push for national popular vote movement gets boost from conservatives To avoid November catastrophe, Democrats have to KO Sanders MORE (R-Ky.) characterized the White House figure as an “initial request.”
“It’s our job to ensure that funding is not a limiting factor as public health leaders and front-line medical professionals continue getting ready,” he said.
The haggling over funding comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday announced the first case of coronavirus in the United States with an “unknown” origin.
President Trump Donald John TrumpTrump passes Pence a dangerous buck Overnight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Trump nods at reputation as germaphobe during coronavirus briefing: 'I try to bail out as much as possible' after sneezes MORE, meanwhile, has announced that Vice President Pence will oversee the government’s effort to combat the coronavirus.
ninjapro on February 27th, 2020 at 18:54 UTC »
This is ridiculous. I can't believe Warren would do something so callous and reckless.
I mean, what would the virus even do with that money?
AntiTheory on February 27th, 2020 at 17:58 UTC »
GOP: "You can't just redirect funds like that! You need congressional approval!"
Warren: "Why not? Trump redirected funds from the military budget to pay for it in the first place."
GOP: "BuT tHaT's ToTaLlY dIfFeReNt!!!"
edit: For those of you very stable geniuses out there pointing out that this doesn't make sense, it was never meant to; that's the joke. You can give it a rest now.
theummeower on February 27th, 2020 at 16:53 UTC »
Where it’ll die of McConnellvirus