Dems Eye Senate tool to pass COVID bill
Special Report anchor Bret Baier breaks down new COVID bill, the ethics of the White House press briefing, Vice President Kamala Harris’s mistake in West Virginia, and more on America Reports.
Democrats were gradually getting closer to passing their $ 1.9 trillion support package along a path that doesn’t require Republican backing Thursday, though the process was paused as lawmakers conducted a “vote-a-rama.”
The voting process for the marathon began at the end of a debate on the budget resolution, giving Republicans a chance to wield some political power.
Before Democrats can move forward with their budget resolution, the Chamber must vote on any measures put forward by Members during the vote-a-rama.
Once the budget resolution is passed, the Democrats will have the tools they need to proceed with their COVID aid package plans without Republican backing – assuming all members of the party are on board.
The proposed changes will not change US policy whether or not they pass. Approved budget resolutions are not technically law, nor are the amendments binding and will have no effect on the Democrats’ underlying support proposal.
Instead, they tend to serve as a litmus test to gauge support for various proposals, or as a way for the minority party to coerce the majority party on controversial topics, which can feed campaign attacks in subsequent election cycles.
Any senator can propose an amendment to the resolution, and the vote is not expected to close until Friday morning.
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Here’s a rundown of some of the changes that lawmakers considered Thursday:
Tax increases for small businesses
Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., And Tim Scott, RS.C., proposed an amendment to ban tax increases for small businesses. In particular, it would prevent legislation on tax increases during the pandemic from being met through budget reconciliation. This amendment was adopted unanimously.
Schools reopen after teachers are vaccinated
An amendment by Sens. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., And Tim Scott, RS.C., that emergency funding would withhold from schools that had not reopened for personal learning after teachers received the COVID-19 vaccine had not agreed. The number of votes came to an even 50-50 partisan distribution, which according to the rule did not work.
A separate measure regarding schools was introduced by Senator John Barrasso, R-Wy., Intended to provide funding to schools in states that are expected to lose revenue as a result of the Biden government’s moratorium on oil leasing and natural gas on public land and coastal waters. This amendment was adopted from 98 to 2.
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Tax on remote work
Senator John Thune, RS.D., introduced an amendment to simplify the tax filing process for people who worked remotely during the pandemic.
The amendment adopted contains a number of provisions relating to people who have worked in a state other than their office location. In particular, it also provides front-line workers who cross state lines to help patients in hard-hit states, such as New York, with an extensive moratorium on income taxes in the new state. This is to prevent these people from being confronted with unexpected tax assessments for their essential work.
Incentive controls for illegal immigrants
Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., And Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Proposed an amendment that would ban future payments for economic impact from being sent to illegal immigrants.
The amendment was passed, but 42 lawmakers voted against it.
As previously reported by Fox News, House Democrats introduced a bill late last year that would have provided controls on some illegal immigrants.
Sens. Joe Manchin, W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Me., Introduced another amendment regarding incentive controls, targeting them at households that need it the most.
Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., Was the only vote against that measure.
Caroline McKee of Fox News contributed to this report.