Democrats Push Pork for Planned Parenthood in Coronavirus Package

The Hill reported Sunday that one of the reasons bipartisan support for a massive coronavirus stimulus package has fallen apart is, once again, because Democrats want the bill to prop up Planned Parenthood.

According to the Hill:

A Democratic aide said that the small business provision was drafted to exclude non-profits who receive Medicaid from being eligible for Small Business Administration assistance offered under the bill. That, according to the aide, would impact Planned Parenthood but also community health centers, rape crisis centers and disability service providers.

Planned Parenthood is identified as a nonprofit, not a small business.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said Sunday she will be moving ahead with her own emergency relief package and ended hopes for an immediate vote in the Senate to further assistance for the nation in the midst of the crisis caused by the virus that originated in China.

Breitbart News reported:

Federal HR office pulls back curtain on sweeping NDA plan aimed at curbing government leaks

US and Iran reach ceasefire extension deal pending Trump’s final approval

Breaking: US and Iran Reportedly Reach Peace Agreement Pending Trump’s Approval

Husband’s phone GPS data prompts feds to search 25-foot-deep Bahamian waters for Lynette Hooker: sources

Judge hands Trump mail-ballot win for now as Democrats’ next move looms

Another One: Male LGBT Activist Arrested After Admitting Abusive Plan for 13-Year-Old Boy

1994 NBA Finals Clip Resurfaces Showing Trump at Knicks Game After Hochul Questioned His Fandom

US Military Prepared to Strike Cuba at Moment’s Notice: ‘When POTUS Says Go, We’re Ready’

Clarence Thomas puts Dems on clock as Alabama GOP emergency map bid stalled

Anti-ICE agitators throw wooden pallets, mattresses at federal agents during chaotic NJ detention center clash

Federal government’s landlord joins Vance fraud crackdown as White House widens hunt: ‘Critical force’

Al Green was a fighter for the Democrats. He lost his Texas primary anyway

Pentagon slashes NATO combat commitments as Trump pushes Europe to defend itself

US denies reports of evacuating US Embassy in Kyiv amid threats of Russian airstrikes

Ukrainian veterans are returning injured, broken, and angry. How can the government help them survive?

Senate Republicans and the White House have insisted that they will continue to push for the $1.6 trillion economic relief package, which would include $350 billion in support for small businesses and $250 billion for unemployment insurance. The package would also include direct cash payments to individuals around $1,200 per individual, with additional funds going to families with children.

Politico also reported that Pelosi’s announcement is an indication she will not be simply taking up the Senate bill and moving it forward on a unanimous consent basis:

That also means the House may be forced back into session, even though many lawmakers are concerned about the threat from the coronavirus and the difficulties in reaching Capitol Hill from their home districts.

Fox News reported on the impasse:

Democrats also pushed for add-ons including food security aid, small business loans and other measures for workers — saying the three months of unemployment insurance offered under the draft plan was insufficient.

The Wall Street Journal‘s Kimberly Strassel also weighed in on the stalemate on Twitter:

1) The Senate bill is bipartisan; assembled with D input from Day One. Everyone understands need for liquidity, and biz $ that get out fast and stop more layoffs. Ds's also got plenty, from unemployment plus-ups to medical surge, to more gov $. They NOW claim not enough?

— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) March 22, 2020

2) Pelosi's balk is naked attempt to cadge more last-minute money. She's playing politics in a crisis. Which is almost as bad as Elizabeth Warren suggesting this is a corporate "slush fund." Gov shuts down economy, and Warren blames business? Toxic.

— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) March 22, 2020

Two weeks ago, it was discovered Pelosi attempted to ensure a Hyde Amendment loophole was included in an earlier coronavirus economic stimulus proposal. The Hyde Amendment is a longstanding provision applied to spending bills that states taxpayer monies will not be used to fund abortions.