Althouse: "The Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a sweeping $2 trillion fiscal measure to shore up the U.S. economy..."

March 26, 2020

"The Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a sweeping $2 trillion fiscal measure to shore up the U.S. economy..."

"... as it weathers the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic, advancing the largest fiscal stimulus package in modern American history. The House was expected to quickly take up the bill on Friday and pass it, sending it to President Trump for his signature."

The NYT reports.

Friday is tomorrow. Why not today?

71 comments:

mezzrow said...: That's an excellent question. We may get an answer, but I bet it won't be THE answer.; 3/26/20, 6:42 AM
Oso Negro said...: Need time to grease Wheezer.; 3/26/20, 6:48 AM
Sharc 65 said...: I suppose there is no realistic opportunity for revision. I see no one talking about it, but the final version includes a commitment from small business loan recipients to "remain neutral in any union organizing attempts" for the life of the loan. Unions, of course, are not required to remain neutral, so this is a total gift to the limping labor unions.; 3/26/20, 6:49 AM
exhelodrvr1 said...: Because Nancy's an asshole; 3/26/20, 6:50 AM
Darrell said...: Give Trump line-item veto power NOW!
The cost will fall to $1 Trillion, with the money going to the people, not political crooks and the enemies of the people.; 3/26/20, 6:52 AM
Jersey Fled said...: I predict more last minute drama from Nancy and her friends before it finally gets passed Saturday.; 3/26/20, 6:52 AM
alanc709 said...: Nancy's waiting for her souvenir pens to arrive.
https://babylonbee.com/news/pelosi-delays-stimulus-package-until-her-new-souvenir-pens-come-in; 3/26/20, 6:53 AM
Darrell said...: Nancy's waiting for her souvenir pens to arrive.

The bad news is that she ordered them from China.; 3/26/20, 6:58 AM
stevew said...: Nancy is still planning (hopeful) to add some of her and her member's hobby horse social programs. Or she has other important business already on the schedule for today. /s; 3/26/20, 7:00 AM
GatorNavy said...: I’m willing to bet there is some arm twisting going on behind the scenes with both the democrats and republicans. There is a lot to dislike in this bill; 3/26/20, 7:00 AM
WisRich said...: I think Pelosi and Hoyer promised their caucus 24 hours to review the bill.; 3/26/20, 7:09 AM
Matt Sablan said...: $2 Trillion.

Could do a lot with $2 trillion.; 3/26/20, 7:10 AM
Gusty Winds said...: It's is horrible legislation. While everyone is worried about their $1200 checks, Nancy slipped in a bunch of bullshit. And of course, they count on the American people to not pay attention.; 3/26/20, 7:12 AM
Kevin said...: Nancy wants 24 hours for her members to read the bill.

She doesn’t want them to have to pass it to find out what’s in it.; 3/26/20, 7:13 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Friday is tomorrow. Why not today?

Because it won't give the Democrats enough time to get their "talking points" memorized and practice their posturing.

Nothing can get done without the proper emotional posturing.; 3/26/20, 7:19 AM
Matt Sablan said...: " I see no one talking about it, but the final version includes a commitment from small business loan recipients to "remain neutral in any union organizing attempts" for the life of the loan. "

-- Flatly unconstitutional. Small business owners and corporations have as much right to political speech and it shall not be abridged by the federal government.; 3/26/20, 7:24 AM
Left Bank of the Charles said...: Doesn’t it send exactly the wrong message to pass such a huge piece of legislation in a panic? Nancy Pelosi is the last statesman in Washington.; 3/26/20, 7:25 AM
Greg said...: It's Nancy's 80th birthday today, can't interrupt the party plans for trivia that only helps peons.; 3/26/20, 7:25 AM
JAORE said...: It takes at least 48 hours to count the pounds of pork to assure the swine herd is large enough. And that the very best of pigs are included.; 3/26/20, 7:27 AM
Anne in Rockwall, TX said...: Today is Nancy's birthday.; 3/26/20, 7:27 AM
Gusty Winds said...: All I know is as a divorced 50 year old, the dating scene is going to be ON FIRE after this is over. I'm spending my $1200 on chicks. Oh yyyeeeaaa.....

Been reloading the on-line pipeline during the pause...; 3/26/20, 7:30 AM
Sally327 said...: A 24 hour delay might be for the same reason things are taking longer everywhere.

I haven't really heard anything about the DC area and whether or not it's been put on lock down but even so, I would think there's still an impact.; 3/26/20, 7:31 AM
Todd said...: As expected, there is a LOT of crap in this thing.

Darrell said...

Give Trump line-item veto power NOW!
The cost will fall to $1 Trillion, with the money going to the people, not political crooks and the enemies of the people.

3/26/20, 6:52 AM

On February 12, 1998, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia declared the 1996 Line Item Veto Act unconstitutional, and the Clinton administration appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.

In a 6-3 ruling issued on June 25, 1998, the Supreme Court, in the case of Clinton v. City of New York upheld the District Court's decision, overturning the 1996 Line Item Veto Act as a violation of the "Presentment Clause," (Article I, Section 7), of the U.S. Constitution.

https://www.thoughtco.com/presidents-cannot-have-line-item-veto-3322132; 3/26/20, 7:32 AM
Bill, Republic of Texas said...: 3.2 million jobless claims last week; 3/26/20, 7:37 AM
Fernandinande said...: I'm spending my $1200 on chicks.

Your share should be about $6,200. Who's getting the other $5K?; 3/26/20, 7:42 AM
Michael K said...: The bill that finally passed has all the pork still inside.

They did get the $35 million for ballet down to $25 million.

I don;t know if "same day voting registration" is still in it but it probably is.; 3/26/20, 7:57 AM
narciso said...: its a garbage bill, like a gamma irradiated continuing resolution, abomination not hulk,; 3/26/20, 8:00 AM
Darrell said...: Thanks, Todd.
That's what I get for listening to Lefties--circa the Bush Administration.; 3/26/20, 8:04 AM
Butkus51 said...: Never ever let a crisis go to waste.; 3/26/20, 8:08 AM
Wilbur said...: "Friday is tomorrow. Why not today?"

Pelosi's hanging onto it like the impeachment bill. Remember how that was touted as brilliant strategy?; 3/26/20, 8:11 AM
Birches said...: Disgusting.

This is a pretty good illustration that Trump is not the problem in DC.; 3/26/20, 8:12 AM
rehajm said...: ...but the final version includes a commitment from small business loan recipients to "remain neutral in any union organizing attempts...

It does highlight one of the biggest dangers of brining production home from overseas. Union work stoppages are just as costly as virus work stoppages...; 3/26/20, 8:24 AM
Dude1394 said...: Pelosi; 3/26/20, 8:30 AM
rhhardin said...: It's not meant to shore up the economy but to provide money to people they threw out of work, plus whatever pork the dems can get into it.; 3/26/20, 8:31 AM
MayBee said...: Asked in another thread, but maybe this is the better place:

Another question: After seeing what Pelosi tried to push through on the first Corona virus relief package, do you think it is more in the Democrats' interest to see people come out and participate, or stay home and be frightened?; 3/26/20, 8:39 AM
Kevin said...: Nancy Pelosi is the last statesman in Washington.

Nancy could have been in the room with Schumer and Mnuchin.

Like Biden, she was off in her own world.; 3/26/20, 8:45 AM
RMc said...: Friday is tomorrow. Why not today?

Because it won't give the Democrats enough time to get their "talking points" memorized and practice their posturing.

Yep. They'll spend all day today on CNN and MSNBC complaining about how Donald Trump wants to kill you, personally, after grabbing you by the ankles and shaking all your money loose. Also, he wants people to ingest fish tank chemicals! #murderer #impeach #impeachagain #keepimpeachinguntilyougetitright; 3/26/20, 8:45 AM
Darrell said...: CBS headline--US sees worst unemployment in fifty years.

Hmmm. I wonder why? Is it Trump?; 3/26/20, 8:48 AM
bagoh20 said...: We destroyed trillions in wealth, and now we borrow it from our kids. It's good to be a Boomer.; 3/26/20, 8:55 AM
WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...: Kruiser:

“Pelosi engaged in some of the most shameless politicking for personal gain of her career, and that’s saying quite a lot. Thankfully, it was all for naught. However, as Tyler mentioned in his headline, she was gambling with people’s lives. This should be a permanent stain on her career, but the thoroughly evil press is no doubt working on ways to run interference for her.”; 3/26/20, 9:01 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: $2 trillion? What if something happens and more is needed later?; 3/26/20, 9:16 AM
Darrell said...: $2 trillion?

That's more than I make all year.; 3/26/20, 9:21 AM
Wince said...: The pork that actually left in the bill may be worth the condemnation Pelosi will reap.; 3/26/20, 9:28 AM
Churchy LaFemme: said...: $2 trillion?

That's more than I make all year.

That's more than Calvin Coolidge makes, put together!; 3/26/20, 9:32 AM
Michael said...: This whole fiasco is like getting run off the road by someone who then charges you to pull up you out of the ditch.; 3/26/20, 9:34 AM
Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...: "The Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a sweeping $2 trillion fiscal measure to shore up the U.S. economy..."

Good. We here be spending $200,000.00 we do not have, in a measure to shore up the Gritzkofe household economy.; 3/26/20, 9:42 AM
Law Prof said...: "[Democratic Leadership] preference for passing the bill would be through unanimous consent, in which a member asks for everyone to agree to the bill and, in the absence of an objection, the agreement would become official." (https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/03/the-house-plots-its-options-for-passing-senate-coronavirus-bill.html)

Republican Thomas Massie announced today that he is objecting to unanimous consent, which will slow down the whole process. (https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/03/26/coronavirus-kentucky-u-s-rep-thomas-massie-plans-reject-bill/2914642001/)

Last night on PBS Newshour, Pelosi said that her preference was for unanimous consent, but she expected some Republican (and perhaps some Democrat) objection.; 3/26/20, 9:46 AM
Darrell said...: Thanks, Lina Lamont, for the Coolidge quote from Singin' In The Rain.; 3/26/20, 9:48 AM
rcocean said...: Every time Congress gets to together and unanimously passes a 1,000 page bill in a rush, then you can sure the American public and taxpayer are getting screwed. After it passes, people will by writing stuff like: "Oh, did you see what was in that bill, its outrageous!" and "How could the Republicans have ever agreed to that abomination buried in the bill. They caved again!"

The average Senators doesn't even read the bill! Its just like the budget, a few of the leaders get together, put together a monstrosity, and then they provide each other cover by everyone voting for it.; 3/26/20, 10:04 AM
stevew said...: "What if something happens and more is needed later?"

Why, just have a vote and, voila, more is provided. Or should it be, ta-da?; 3/26/20, 10:15 AM
Caligula said...: "The deal does not appear to include any direct funding for the ailing cruise ship industry."

Now ain't that a shame (tears fall like rain)? The cruise lines employ very few Americans, and many of the larger operators chose to go heavily into debt.

Sorry, Charlie, but (unlike practically everyone else) you're just not a particularly essential industry.; 3/26/20, 10:18 AM
Andrew said...: "Friday is tomorrow. Why not today?"

Simple, Nancy has an evening gown fitting today. She didn't demand the $35 million in the Corona Bill for the Kennedy Center for nothing.; 3/26/20, 10:24 AM
Michael said...: Caliigula

So an American travel company closed by govt mandated travel stoppage is not entitled to aid? Because of their debt levels?

You do realize that the catastrophe is not of their making? It is not 2008.; 3/26/20, 10:32 AM
rcocean said...: "Sorry, Charlie, but (unlike practically everyone else) you're just not a particularly essential industry."

And Despite being chartered in the USA, is not really an AMERICAN industry -despite what Trump says. As stated, almost all its employees are foreigners.; 3/26/20, 10:57 AM
Jupiter said...: I think they needed time to find a couple trillion dollars that they hadn't already spent on something else. Had to take some bottles back to the store.; 3/26/20, 10:59 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: $6k for every man, woman, and child.

Sounds like somebody overpaid.; 3/26/20, 11:04 AM
Big Mike said...: Why not today?

Ask your friendly local Democrat Congresscritter.; 3/26/20, 12:15 PM
Achilles said...: It is really interesting to pretend that money is wealth.

The government spends 2 trillion dollars and bamn! there's 2 trillion dollars.

But nothing was actually produced.

Currency is just a representation to facilitate the transfer of goods and services.

Without the goods and the services money is nothing.

This is nothing. The Government never really does anything. DC is just completely useless at this point.; 3/26/20, 1:02 PM
Achilles said...: Somehow the Kennedy Center still got their 45 million dollars.

DC just needs to be burned to the ground.; 3/26/20, 1:03 PM
Achilles said...: I wonder how much it would cost to buy a cruise ship.; 3/26/20, 1:04 PM
Kai Akker said...: $2 trillion? What if something happens and more is needed later?

What -- you worry? The Fed goes back into its bottomless bag of dollar bills. If you can tear them away from buying gazillions more bonds at the lowest rates we've ever had; which means also the highest prices. Whoopee!; 3/26/20, 1:37 PM
Calypso Facto said...: "I wonder how much it would cost to buy a cruise ship."

Less today than yesterday, and less yesterday than a week ago.; 3/26/20, 1:40 PM
Ralph L said...: I don't know how they figured the cost, but it looks like the employer payroll taxes deferred to 2021-2 could be a big chunk of it.; 3/26/20, 1:50 PM
MacMacConnell said...: It's Nancy Botox's birthday today.; 3/26/20, 2:21 PM
Jupiter said...: "This is nothing. The Government never really does anything."

Oh, I don't agree. It seems that when they print more dollars, they aren't producing things of value, they are merely redistributing them. But that is not true. They are also instructing the economy to produce A instead of B. And that has an effect.; 3/26/20, 2:57 PM
Curious George said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 3/26/20, 3:13 PM
Chuck said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 3/26/20, 3:17 PM
JAORE said...: I heard the Kennedy Center comments and cringed.

But what would you have him say? That's more of the Pelosi BS and I WILL NOT sign if this $25 M stays.

The $25 M is below the threshold where I am going to delay this much needed relief. [Follow up: OK POTUS,where is that red line?]; 3/26/20, 3:22 PM
Chuck said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 3/26/20, 3:27 PM
BUMBLE BEE said...: Wince... That's what I'm thinking; 3/26/20, 3:47 PM
Nichevo said...: Dear "LLR,"

Chuck said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
3/26/20, 3:17 PM

Chuck said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
3/26/20, 3:27 PM

The above should provide clarity for you on whether you are a banned commenter. I can't be arsed to pay it further attention, but should you show your face again outside enforcement periods, surely some other commenter with long memories and extensive files will be prompted to remind you that you are not welcome here.; 3/26/20, 9:46 PM