Top Democrat says coronavirus relief package a 'tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision': Report
by Andrew Mark Miller
| March 24, 2020 11:53 AM
House Majority Whip James Clyburn described the coronavirus relief package currently being debated in Congress as a “tremendous opportunity.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision,” the South Carolina Democrat allegedly said on a phone call with fellow members of his party last week.
Democrats have been widely criticized for attempts to include perceived policy goals into the coronavirus relief package.
“The famed quote from Rahm Emanuel, that’s President Obama’s chief of staff: ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste.’ Sadly, we’re seeing the embodiment of that cynical approach right now,” Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on the Senate floor. “Because with all the people out of jobs, the Democrats are using this to push — what are they pushing for? Changing the emissions standards on airplanes,” Cruz said. “What the hell do the emissions standards on airplanes have to do with thousands to people dying and millions of people out of work in the coronavirus epidemic?”
Democrats blocked a Republican-proposed virus belief bill in the Senate and proposed in the House a bill including several provisions that don’t appear to have any connection to the virus, including $300 million for refugees and migrants, $35 million in funding for the Kennedy Center for the performing arts, new fuel emission standards, and a climate change study.
Clyburn’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
herman ✔ @JakeSherman
A bit of a clap back from republicans.
