Democrats Can Play the Interim Relief Game, Too
The House would help the economy and score political points by voting to extend expiring benefits as Senate Republicans quarrel and dither.
Their serve.
Photographer: Tasos Katopodis/Getty ImagesWhat’s the next step for House Democrats? Senate Republicans have finally agreed internally on their opening bid for the next pandemic economic relief and stimulus bill, but there’s zero chance that the parties can resolve their differences before two imminent deadlines pass: The expanded unemployment insurance payments put in place by bipartisan legislation in March and an eviction ban for public housing will end this week.
Republicans have floated the idea of an interim bill while they negotiate the big package, and Democrats have shot that idea down. That made sense while Republicans couldn’t even come up with a proposal.