In a joint statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced a notable
shift in their position on coronavirus relief legislation
negotiations. Citing economists fears of a possible
“double-dip recession” without additional economic
relief from Congress, the Democratic leaders announced their
support for using the bipartisan, bicameral compromise framework
introduced yesterday (see chart below for details) as the basis for
negotiations moving forward ahead of the looming December 11
government funding deadline. This marks a fairly significant change
for Democrats still grappling with the mixed results of last
month's election.
For months, Pelosi and Schumer remained united in their stance
that a pandemic relief and economic stimulus package should be
comprehensive, include funding for state and local governments, and
cost around $2 trillion. The bipartisan effort, which notably does
not yet include legislative
