Blue Dogs Support Stimulus Package While Stressing COVID-19 Threat Highlights Deficit Dangers
WASHINGTON – The Blue Dog Coalition of House Democrats are throwing their support behind a potential economic stimulus package aimed at helping Americans deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
But in doing so, the coalition of fiscally-responsible Democrats said the crisis illustrates why running a $1 trillion deficit hurts the nation and poses a national security risk.
“In times of economic expansion, both parties must work together to put us on a path toward fiscal sustainability to ensure we are prepared for any necessary response to an unforeseen emergency, including a public health threat such as coronavirus,” said Rep. Lou Correa, the California Democrat who serves as the Blue Dog Coalition’s co-chair for communications.
Correa went on to say an economic stimulus package is necessary, and that it should “target those who are most in need of economic support.”
“This includes working families, hourly employees, small businesses, local economies that are dependent on tourism, and other communities experiencing an outbreak,” he said.
Consistent with their philosophy, the Coalition reminded its colleagues on Capitol Hill that the stimulus funds must be allocated with “the highest level of transparency and accountability.”
“Congress should ensure funding is designated only for the response to the public health emergency, and attach accountability measures, including sunset clauses, to ensure the emergency funding is regularly evaluated for need and effectiveness,” Correa said.
“Partisan proposals will do nothing to contain the spread of this virus or deliver peace of mind to the American people. Now is the time for everyone in Washington to put politics aside and come to a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to ensure we can deliver relief and necessary resources as quickly as possible,” he concluded.
In The News
Health
Voting
Congress
WASHINGTON - Despite being in the early phases of an investigation into PFAS contamination at nearly 700 U.S. military installations, the Department of Defense says the future environment clean-up of these facilities will cost at least $2.1 billion and likely much more. That number has not... Read More
If the White House and Congress are serious about making clean energy a meaningful part of the still-to-finalized infrastructure package, they need to enact a 10-year extension of an investment tax credit that has buoyed the industry in recent years. At least that’s the position of... Read More
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Congress erred when it set up a board to oversee patent disputes by failing to make the judges properly accountable to the president. As a result, it said, more than 200 administrative judges who preside over patent... Read More
WASHINGTON - Of all the uncertainties growing from the prolonged negotiations over President Joe Biden’s American Families plan, the most potentially vexing for the American businesses and the economy are several proposed changes to the U.S. tax code. Though much rests on how big an infrastructure... Read More
Rep. Abigail Spanberger secured central Virginia’s spot today onlist of proposed projects areas that will be covered by the Biden administration’s proposed INVEST in America Act. If passed, more than $22.7 million in federal resources will be dedicated to infrastructure and transportation projects in Virginia’s 7th... Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gas prices have whizzed past $3 per gallon in much of the nation. The cost of used cars and new furniture, airline tickets, department store blouses, ground beef and a Chipotle burrito are on the rise, too. Many economists say the price increases... Read More
