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Ocasio-Cortez Warns She’s ‘Open’ To Single-Handedly Delaying Coronavirus Bill ‘If Necessary’

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Wednesday she might be inclined to delay passage of a $2 trillion bipartisan coronavirus stimulus package.

Senate lawmakers from both parties and the White House struck a tentative deal early Wednesday to move forward on legislation to offer relief to American workers and businesses currently being affected by nationwide shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“At last, we have a deal. After days of intense discussions, the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday morning, NBC News reported.


“In effect, this is a wartime level of investment for our nation,” McConnell added.

“Struggling Americans are going to go to their mailboxes and find four-figure checks to help with their bills. Why? Because the Senate stepped up.”


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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, said, “Help is on the way, big help.”

If the deal is passed by the Senate, it could make its way to President Donald Trump’s desk quickly, with CNN reporting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her caucus on Wednesday she would like for the House to adopt the measure by unanimous consent.

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As The Hill noted, a bill can only be passed by unanimous consent if no lawmakers object.

But Ocasio-Cortez says she is currently deciding whether or not she might request a recorded, in-person vote on the relief package in the House.


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China hopes Trump’s gamble on Iran and Cuba loses the US more than it gains
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The move would force House members who are not currently in Washington, D.C., to travel there to vote.

“With the health risks of travel, there is no easy choice here,” the freshman lawmaker from New York told CNN.

“But essential workers are showing up and putting their health at risk every day, and if the final text of a bill is set up to hurt them, [a recorded vote] may be something we have to do,” she added.

Ocasio-Cortez said she had not yet seen a final draft of the bill.

But “I’m open” to forcing a recorded vote “if necessary,” she said.

CNN reported that if Ocasio-Cortez decides to ask for a recorded vote, it could delay passage of the legislation by several days.

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Pelosi said in a conference call with her Democratic colleagues she’s discussed with the House physician’s office any precautions that might need to be taken in the event of a recorded vote, a source close to congressional negations told CNN.

Axios White House reporter Alayna Treene reported Pelosi supports the bipartisan bill, but did complain it was not as far-reaching as a bill introduced by House Democrats on Monday.


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Dem-backed ‘social justice’ law put Virginia’s ODU campus at risk before attack, former AG argues
China hopes Trump’s gamble on Iran and Cuba loses the US more than it gains
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Masked suspect seen at Nancy Guthrie’s home three weeks before her abduction, sources say

“This bipartisan legislation takes us a long way down the road in meeting the needs of the American people. While the compromise does not go as far as our[s] … the bill has moved a great deal closer to America’s workers,” Pelosi said.

Ocasio-Cortez was not the only lawmaker to express concern about adopting the measure via unanimous consent.

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“I know we’re in a very challenging time,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters Wednesday.

“I know we have members who are quarantined, members who are battling the virus, members in New York City who could not travel here without 14 days, but I don’t believe we should pass a $2 trillion package by unanimous consent.”

Later, Pelosi acknowledged to PBS that “I don’t think we can get unanimous consent” on the bill.


Watch: Senate Dem Turns to Conspiracy Theories When Markwayne Mullin Refuses to Play Her Games During Confirmation Hearing
MS Now Axes Part of ‘Morning Joe’ in Significant Shake-Up
GOP governors, AGs back Trump SAVE Act push, warn system gives ‘undue influence’ to states with illegal aliens
Strikes may set Iran back — but likely won’t end nuclear program, UN watchdog chief warns
Mexican man attempts to cross illegally into US via underside of bridge
Ex-principal sidelined over Charlie Kirk controversy now headed to prison in illicit image case
Team USA’s Heartbreaking Loss in World Baseball Classic Final Leads to Jesus Being Praised on National TV
Democrats Scrambling as Leftist Icon Is Hit with Bombshell Child Rape Allegations
Gabbard and Patel deny knowledge of Trump emergency election order plans
NYC spends more per homeless person than a typical household earns in a year, data shows
Dem-backed ‘social justice’ law put Virginia’s ODU campus at risk before attack, former AG argues
China hopes Trump’s gamble on Iran and Cuba loses the US more than it gains
Breaking: Trump Suspends 100-Year-Old Law in Bid to Lower Oil Prices
Pure Evil: Trans ‘Youth Advocate’ Arrested Over Rape of Infant He Was Asked to Look After – and It Gets Even Worse
Masked suspect seen at Nancy Guthrie’s home three weeks before her abduction, sources say

The Senate was set to vote on the legislation at some point Wednesday evening, NBC reported.

Story cited here.

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