On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced they were filing budget resolutions so there is an additional legislative tool for passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. This process, known as budget reconciliation, only needs 51 votes in the Senate but limits what can be considered. The White House press briefing noted support for this procedure as an option.
Included in the resolution is $350,690,000 for state and local government aid. Previous reports noted a reduced threshold of residents need for direct relief from 500,000 in CARES Act to 200,000 residents. A lower number is preferable and the League has advocated as such to the New Jersey Congressional Delegation.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with a group of 10 Republican Senators for nearly two hours to discuss a $618 million alternative plan. While the meeting was described as cordial, the White House noted that the proposal, which excludes state and local aid, was “insufficient for the moment.”
There are ongoing discussions in DC on this matter and we will continue to update as further details emerge.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.