Friday Update

Emily Cochrane at NYT:

The House gave resounding approval on Thursday to a $484 billion coronavirus relief package to restart a depleted loan program for distressed small businesses and to provide funds for hospitals and coronavirus testing, and it moved to ramp up oversight of the sprawling federal response to the pandemic.

 President Trump said he would quickly sign the measure — the latest installment in a government aid program that is approaching $3 trillion — which passed with broad bipartisan support even as some liberal Democrats condemned it for being too stingy. But the fight over what should be included foreshadowed a pitched partisan battle to come over the next round of federal relief, which is likely to center on aid to states and cities facing dire financial straits.

Burgess Everett and Sarah Ferris at Politico:

The ink is barely dry on Congress’ latest $484 billion check to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but an epic fight over the next massive relief bill is already in full tilt.
Democrats failed to secure billions for reeling state and local governments in the last round, and they vow the money will be the centerpiece of the next chapter of talks. But they’re running into a buzzsaw named Mitch McConnell.

“As a general proposition, my experience with Democrats over the years is there’s nothing they love better than an opportunity to spend money,” McConnell (R-Ky.) said in an interview this week.

The Senate majority leader is ridiculing the idea of sending aid to beleaguered states and has even suggested he’d prefer states declare bankruptcy rather than get rescued by the federal government — drawing gasps from Democratic leaders.

 Cristina Marcos at The Hill:

The House on Thursday voted to create a select committee to oversee the federal response to the coronavirus crisis, with Republicans accusing Democrats of trying to use it as a cudgel against President Trump during an election year.

The panel, to be led by House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), is set up to include 12 members — seven Democrats and five Republicans — and will have broad investigative authority over how taxpayer dollars are allocated and the Trump administration’s preparations for the crisis.
A resolution to formally establish the select committee passed on a vote of 212-182 along party lines, with Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) voting with Republicans in opposition.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced the creation of the committee earlier this month, but Thursday was the first time the full House could vote to officially establish the panel.