economic stimulus package Archives

Sen. Blunt is optimistic a compromise can be reached this week on stimulus package

August 3, 2020 By Ashley Byrd

The Senate is scheduled to leave Washington, D.C. after Friday for its annual August recess.

-BRENT MARTIN, KFEQ

United States Senator Roy Blunt is optimistic a compromise can be reached this week on another economic stimulus package in the battle against COVID-19 and its impact on the economy.

Blunt, a Republican involved in the negotiations, insists Senate Republicans and House Democrats are not that far off, even if the Senate approved a $1 trillion package to counter the House $3 trillion measure.

“We’re never going to outspend Democrats in the House,” Blunt told reporters during a weekend stop in St. Joseph. “They put $7 ½ billion for child care subsidies, I put $15 (billion), they say, maybe we need $40 (billion). Now, this is the number they thought should be $7 ½ billion 90 days ago. So, part of this is just politics. It’s election-year politics. We’re 90 days from a presidential election.”

After a visit to Mosaic Life Care, a medical center in St. Joseph, Blunt told reporters there are three sticking points: how much federal unemployment assistance should be allocated, whether state and local governments should be provided assistance, and whether COVID-19 liability protection should be extended for businesses and groups.

An additional $600 weekly federal payment to unemployed workers ended at the end of July. House Democrats included nearly $1 billion of aid to state and local governments; the Senate did not. Senate Republicans included liability protections to businesses and groups which reopened during this coronavirus pandemic; the House did not.

Both and Senate and House include another round of $1,200 stimulus checks.

Some deadline pressure is growing for negotiators. The Senate is scheduled to leave Washington, D.C. after Friday for its annual August
recess. Blunt doesn’t see that as a problem though, saying negotiations over such proposals normally come together in a 72-hour period.

“You just need to decide when that 72 hours is, so you can do whatever’s necessary to finally bring these bills together,” Blunt said. “They’re different
in money, but they’re not different in much else.”

Blunt said many of his fellow Senate Republicans question the need for the bill and he says if one is to pass, it will need bipartisan support.

“So, this will be done by some number of Republicans and enough Democrats to get to 60 in the Senate,” according to Blunt.

Though Senate Republicans backed the last $1trillion-plus package, Blunt expects some to vote against this latest round of
relief.

“Well, I think Senate Republicans are probably reverting back to a normal pattern where some of my Republican colleagues never vote for
anything that spends money,” Blunt said, “That’s actually a workable strategy as long as somebody else will vote for what spends money.”

Missouri GOP Congressman: COVID-19 outbreak is unlike anything we’ve ever seen (AUDIO)

March 30, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

A northern Missouri congressman who’s a dean in the state’s congressional delegation says the $2 trillion economic stimulus package is aimed at helping America emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger.

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, represents 36 counties in northern Missouri (file photo courtesy of Congressman Graves’ office)

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, voted for the bill on Friday. He says the bill provides $350 billion to the Small Business Administration (SBA), to supply main street businesses with the capital they need to keep the lights on and their workers on the payroll.

“And as long as they (main street businesses) continue to keep them on the payroll through July 2, then that becomes forgiven,” Graves says.

Governor Mike Parson has warned that thousands of Missourians will lose their jobs due to the outbreak. Congressman Graves says the stimulus boosts unemployment benefits for the millions of Americans who’ve lost their jobs.

Graves represents 36 counties in northern Missouri. His sprawling district is larger than nine U.S. states, and includes St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Bethany, Kirksville and Hannibal.

Congressman Graves tells Missourinet that some hospitals in his district have struggled to get personal protective equipment (PPE), like masks. He notes the stimulus package also includes $117 billion in funding for hospitals and the Veterans Administration (VA) to care for patients and to protect health care employees battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Those of us who represent rural areas want to make sure that rural hospitals have every bit as much equipment as they need to combat this,” says Graves. “So far, they have not been overrun, but that could quickly, quickly change.”

Parson announced Monday afternoon that the state’s Strategic National Stockpile has now shipped 7,000 gloves and 3,300 cases of masks to hospitals, EMS and long-term care facilities.

State health officials say there are now 1,031 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Missouri, along with 13 deaths.

As for Graves, he says church groups and other organizations are grocery shopping for seniors in his district, to help the seniors limit their exposure during the COVID-19 outbreak. Graves’ district has a large elderly population.

“And that’s what rural Missouri is about and all of our rural areas. We take care of people and we take care of our neighbors and our family, and that’s very heartwarming,” Graves says.

Graves says the pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge for America, and that Americans have responded with unprecedented patriotism.

Graves and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) say the stimulus will also provide most American adults with $1,200 checks to help them make ends meet during the outbreak.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, which was recorded on March 30, 2020:

BREAKING: U.S. Senate approves $2 trillion stimulus package; Missouri’s Blunt pleased with bill (AUDIO)

March 25, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

(The story has been updated to include the vote count … Brian)

In a historic vote, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously late Wednesday night to approve the largest emergency relief bill in American history, a $2 trillion economic stimulus package. It’s in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Missouri’s senior senator had predicted a “big, bipartisan vote” in his chamber. The vote was 96-0, and a House vote is expected on Friday.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, who chairs the Senate Appropriations health subcommittee, says the bill is crucial for hospitals.

“I think we’ve got a good package that will help hospitals, will help local health departments, will help others who are trying to address this need,” Blunt says.

The “Washington Post” reports the bill would provide $130 billion to hospitals.

Blunt, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, says the $2 trillion economic stimulus package will provide individuals and families with immediate relief. Blunt tells Missourinet that the bill would provide $1,200 in direct assistance to most adults and $500 to children.

“And that means most Missourians would get a check, most Missourians that file a tax return would get a check, others may have other ways to get that check,” says Blunt.

The payments are phased out for those with higher incomes, such as individuals who earn $75,000 or more.

Blunt also says the package would help Missouri farmers and ranchers, and American agriculture in general. He says the bill increases the Commodity Credit Corporation by $14 billion.

“This is a place where farming families and other farming entities can go and get credit,” Blunt says.

Agriculture remains Missouri’s top industry. Blunt says the bill provides $9.5 billion in emergency aid to agricultural producers who’ve been impacted by COVID-19, including livestock producers who export overseas.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full five-minute interview with U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, which was recorded on March 25, 2020:

Missouri Senator Hawley hopeful that stimulus package will pass soon (AUDIO)

March 24, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s junior senator is hopeful that a bipartisan agreement can be reached soon on a $2 trillion economic stimulus package, in response to the coronavirus crisis.

The “Washington Post” reported Tuesday night that lawmakers were reviewing final language on Capitol Hill.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) says the bill would provide direct assistance to individuals and families in Missouri who need it the most.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s official portrait (2020 photo courtesy of Senator Hawley’s press office)

“$1,200 for every individual who needs it, every adult,” Hawley says. “$500 for every child, so the bigger the family, the more assistance that you get.”

He says that phases out for those with higher incomes: couples who earn more than $150,000 and singles who make $75,000 or more.

Senator Hawley tells Missourinet he fought to ensure that the working poor receive the full benefit.

He also says the bill should have been voted on days ago, saying that Democrats on Capitol Hill “put up roadblocks.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) tweeted Tuesday that Senate Democrats are “fighting to make sure there are no bailouts without strict conditions that put people and workers first.”

As for Hawley, he says the bill includes small business relief.

“Small business will be able to cover 100 percent of their payroll with federal assistance under this plan, 100 percent. The idea is that they won’t have to lay off anybody,” says Hawley.

Hawley, who serves on the Senate Small Business Committee, says small businesses will be able to keep their doors open, keep payrolls going and pay their health care costs, under the bill.

Missouri’s governor has warned that thousands of Missourians will lose their jobs, because of the coronavirus.

Hawley is aware of Governor Mike Parson’s warning. Senator Hawley says the bill would boost unemployment benefits for Missourians.

“This bill would triple unemployment insurance available to Missourians, up $600 a week in the state of Missouri,” Hawley says. “That’s vital.”

During an interview with Missourinet, Hawley also praises President Trump for invoking the Defense Production Act.

Hawley also says the FDA has been slow in getting personal protective equipment out to Missouri hospitals, urban and rural. Hawley says every Missouri hospital he’s spoken to needs more tests and masks. He also says they’ll need more ventilators.

Click here to listen to the full three-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, which was recorded on March 24, 2020. Senator Hawley was on Capitol Hill.