House to release Democrat wish list bill this week

The House remains out of session, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expect to release her new coronavirus relief bill as early as late-Monday or Tuesday.

The forthcoming package is being considered a Democratic wish list expected to include funding for state and local governments, bailout money for the Post Office and extensions of unemployment insurance and food stamps.

Such a measure will face long-odds for passage in the GOP-controlled Senate, which appears intent on waiting for earlier virus-related stimulus trillions to filter into the economy.

Unlike previous coronavirus bills, this one will take into account ideas from Democratic members outside of the House leadership. Among the proposed ideas from more liberal members of the caucus is relief money for inmates and illegal immigrants.

The bill also attempts to address legislative priorities that congressional Democrats think Republicans have not addressed in sufficient measure.

Pelosi is aiming for a vote this week, though that could be a tight squeeze if the bill is released much later than Tuesday morning. Every Democrat in the House will be elbowing to get their issues into this package, so the bill could change even after it’s released.

As Senate Republicans signal that they are ready to at least temporarily stop cutting massive tax payer funded checks, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pivots to focus on other legislation. However, there is some concern that the Paycheck Protection Program may once again run dry this week, in which case Republicans will hope to quickly pass legislation to replenish those funds.