Trump Orders $2Trillion Infrastructure Bill In Response to COVID-19

President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday has urged the Congress to pass a $2 trillion infrastructure bill as the next line of action to stall the economic strain due to the coronavirus disease.

In a tweet he said:
“With interest rates for the United States being at ZERO, this is the time to do our decades long awaited Infrastructure Bill,”

“It should be VERY BIG & BOLD, Two Trillion Dollars, and be focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country!”

About a week ago a $2 trillion economic relief package aimed at small businesses and workers affected by the effect of the disease.

Members of the Democratic Party hold the view that an infrastructure bill could cover updates to public drinking water systems and healthcare capacity, as well as increased rural broadband despite increased teleworking and online school programs during the pandemic. The aftermath would cover more jobs at a time when unemployment rates are sky high.

Trump has sought a major infrastructure bill ever since taking office and would appear to be pitching that plan again as a form of economic stimulus. The president’s tweet comes as lawmakers in both the House and the Senate already are longing for a fourth coronavirus response bill .

Some in the party have also signaled a phase four stimulus bill could include other measures left out of earlier packages, such as expanded paid leave for workers and parents forced to stay at home during the outbreak and increased worker protections.

Trump’s backing could push Republicans to support such a measure, though GOP leaders have been reluctant to move forward with legislation that might include certain Democratic priorities they argue are unrelated to combating the virus.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stated on “The Hugh Hewitt Show” on Tuesday that “we need to wait a few days here, a few weeks, and see how things are working out” with the most recent response  bill.

“Let’s see how things are going and respond accordingly,” McConnell said. “I’m not going to allow this to be an opportunity for the Democrats to achieve unrelated policy items that they would not otherwise be able to pass.”

The Minority Leader of the House  Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Sunday he was unsure whether a fourth economic package would even be necessary.

However President Trump had extended federal social distancing regulations meant to slow the progression  of the disease through the end of April, thought that the economic hardship could stretch longer than optimistic lawmakers initially thought.

The president and lawmakers in both parties have long discussed the possibility of a sweeping infrastructure package, considering it one of a few areas with bipartisan support. But talks have consistently been limited over disagreements on how  such a bill will be funded.

It’s not certain when Congress would implement a new coronavirus stimulus bill. Senate Republican leaders embarked on a recession last week until at least the third week of April, which was adopted by the House Democrats on Monday.