While Washington is rushing to enact COVID-19 funding before the mid-March expiration of enhanced federal unemployment benefits, lawmakers face a host of upcoming policy deadlines that.
aflynn@lakeplacidnews.com
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, speaks to upstate New York media on a Zoom conference call Monday, Dec. 21 before he voted for the $900 billion COVID relief bill. (News photo Andy Flynn)
LAKE PLACID Both New York senators Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, voted Monday, Dec. 21 for the $900 billion pandemic relief package aimed at delivering financial help to citizens and businesses and to help states pay for COVID-19 vaccinations. The Senate cleared the package by a 92-6 vote after the House approved it by another lopsided vote, 359-53, according to The Associated Press.
3:11
New York Senator Chuck Schumer said the most recent stimulus bill is a survival bill, not a long term plan for economic recovery.
“There’s all different kind of dollars. Is it enough? No. And the thing I most regret is (Mitch) McConnell blocked state and local aid. We have found some other ways to get the localities some aid through education, transportation and vaccine distribution (assistance).”
That includes $5 billion to help New York schools, $4 billion for mass transit systems, and $1.3 billion in rental assistance that will all come through local governments. Schumer adds the unemployment insurance extension will help one million New Yorkers who would have seen benefits dry up next week. He says this is less a stimulus plan and more an emergency survival bill.