Moderate Democrats, especially those in swing states, are putting more pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass another relief package. They say her excuses and blaming the Senate Republicans for the delay aren’t cutting it with their constituents anymore.
Some even turned on her when the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus revealed their $1.5 trillion coronavirus relief plan which resulted in 25 Democrats joining up with 25 Republicans to come up with a plan.
Rep. Max Rose was among the Democratic backers of the plan and said leadership’s failure to make a deal is frustrating but doesn’t even compare to the frustration of his supporters who need help. It’s been four long months since the House passed the HEROES Act that died on the Senate floor and now Rose and fellow Democrats are urging House leaders to put another bill into action.
“The pressure is loud and forthright and it is bipartisan in nature,” Rose told Fox News. “Because that pressure is reflective of where the American people are. They are sick and tired of politics.”
He added, “To the leadership, we said this very simple message: It’s time for you to stop playing games. Let’s stop the charade. Let’s stop this stupidity. Let’s put the country first.”
Problem Solvers Caucus member Rep. Abigail Spanberger criticized Pelosi’s resistance and suggest looking for a different approach.
“What the White House put forward months ago isn’t moving forward,” she said.
Other moderate Democrats said members are pushing hard for the leadership to do something.
“You are seeing a level of anxiety rise within the members for there to be a deal,” said Rep. Stephanie Murphy. “For there to be progress toward getting the deal done. And, hopefully, with that increased pressure, we will start to see negotiations start anew and start moving our way towards that.”
Pelosi must be feeling the heat because she told her team on a conference call that she plans on keeping the House in session until a deal has been reached.
