President Trump invokes Defense Production Act for COVID-19 response
President Trump announces developments on the war against the 'Chinese virus' including human trials for a vaccine are now underway
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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, took issue Wednesday with how the White House and Senate have taken the lead roles in drafting a massive aid package to prop up the economy during the coronavirus outbreak.
After McConnell said he would vote for a pending House bill but that the Senate would need to draft legislation to address its "imperfections," Jeffries tweeted a reminder that spending is the House's job.
TRUMP CALLS HIMSELF A 'WARTIME PRESIDENT' OVER CORONAVIRUS AS HE INVOKES DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT
"Just so we’re clear. The Constitution gives the House sole power to initiate spending on behalf of the American people," Jeffries said Wednesday afternoon. "Not the Senate. And certainly not this President. House Dems will prioritize displaced workers, families & small businesses #Stimulus."
MCCONNELL VOWS 'HISTORIC INJECTION' OF AID TO SAVE SMALL BUSINESSES IN FACE OF CORONAVIRUS
McConnell took to the Senate floor Wednesday morning stating that senators will not leave until they take additional action on top of passing the House's bill, specifically citing the need to take better care of small businesses.
“The Senate is not going to leave small business behind,” he said.
This comes as the Trump administration is pitching a roughly $1 trillion stimulus plan.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the Trump administration wants to send checks to Americans “in the next two weeks” in an effort to help people cope with the economic fallout due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Members of the House, meanwhile, stayed until late Friday to pass legislation to help Americans during the outbreak. That bill focused on providing testing, sick leave for workers who have to take care of themselves or loved ones, and making sure there are necessary resources to take care of veterans.
Fox News' Adam Shaw and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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