White House: Democrats stimulus package push, Fauci to testify

Transcript

Here are a few updates on what is going on in the White House amid the pandemic.

House Democrats are working on a fourth coronavirus stimulus package despite pushback from the Trump administration and Republican leaders.

They say they don’t want to add to the trillions of dollars in relief funds already at hand.

Some of the provisions included in the bill are direct assistance to Americans, new funding for mail-in voting, more money for distressed businesses, student loan assistance measures and aid for rent and mortgage payments.

Meanwhile Tuesday the Republican-led Senate Health Committee is holding a hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate committee leaders and four government witnesses will appear remotely via videoconference.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is set to testify.

He gave the New York Times a preview of what his message will be.

He’s to tell a Senate committee that the country risks “needless suffering and death” if states open up too quickly.

Fauci wrote in his email to the Times that skipping over checkpoints in guidelines for reopening risks multiple outbreaks nationwide.

He warned that hasty reopenings could also result in setbacks and returning to normal.

Posted – 5.12.20