2020: Fitzpatrick Voted Against A $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid
Package. In October 2020, Fitzpatrick voted against a coronavirus
relief package that would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"provide roughly $2.2 trillion in funding to further address the health
and economic effects of COVID-19, including approximately $436 billion
for direct aid to state and local governments; $120 billion for
assistance to restaurants; $75 billion for a national testing program;
$28.3 billion for an extended airline industry payroll support program;
and funding for state and federal response related to health care,
education, housing, and food supply. It would reinstate federal funding
of expanded unemployment compensation benefits through January 2021,
provide an additional round of tax rebates of $1,200 for individuals
with incomes of $75,000 or less, and extend the Paycheck Protection
Program. The bill would provide $257 billion for states, territories,
and tribal governments and $179 billion for local governments to
address costs and economic impacts associated with the COVID-19
pandemic." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to
the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 214-207. [House Vote
214, 10/1/20;
Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20; Congressional
Actions,
H.R.925]
House Democrats Passed The Bill Largely As A "Symbolic Expression"
Of Their Frustration With Stalled Talks On Another Coronavirus Aid
Package. According to Congressional Quarterly, "House Democrats
passed their own revised version of a coronavirus aid package
Thursday, in a largely symbolic expression of frustration with
protracted talks on a bipartisan compromise. On a party-line vote of
2014-207, the House sent to the Senate a $2.2 trillion package that
Republicans have lambasted as a costly 'liberal wish list.' No House
GOP lawmaker voted for it." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]
The Trump Administration Package Offered $1.5 Trillion, And The
Senate Republicans' Proposal Provided Only $640 Billion.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Trump administration has
offered about $1.5 trillion [...] Senate Republicans want to
spend even less: They chafed even at a $1 trillion package over the
summer before backing a bill with just $650 billion in relief ---
more than half of it offset." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]
The House Democrat Relief Package Included Another Round Of
$1,200 Tax Rebates, Expanded Unemployment Benefits, And Funding For
Schools, Health Care, And State And Local Governments. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "The Democratic bill provide another
round of $1,200-per-adult tax rebates, expanded unemployment
benefits, and more money for schools, health care and state and
local governments, among other things [...] Democrats also pumped
some additional money into new priorities since their May
legislation. Chief among them is a $120 billion fund for the
pandemic-battered restaurant industry, along with $28 billion for
the airline industry." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]
Senate Republicans Are Opposed To Spending Significant Funds On
Another Aid Package. According to the Wall Street Journal, "In
reaching a deal, House Democrats and the Trump administration also
face another obstacle: Senate Republicans opposed to again doling
out money for a major aid package. Many Republicans in the Senate
see the economy recovering without additional aid injections and are
wary of further deficit spending. After a $1 trillion plan from GOP
leaders didn't draw broad support in their party, last month, Senate
Republicans put together a 'skinny' proposal to try to unify their
ranks. That bill, which called for $300 billion in new funds and
repurposing $350 billion in other funds, failed in the Senate when
Democrats blocked it." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]