Capito Sees Stimulus Package Coming in September
Trending
WHEELING -- U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore-Capito predicts Congress could approve a second coronavirus relief economic stimulus package by the end of this month.
Capito, R-West Virginia, said she wishes a stimulus agreement could have been achieved by Labor Day.
She does think, however, one could be worked out and passed soon after Congress reconvenes and before the end of September.
"I don't think it will wait -- I don't think it can wait -- until after the election…." she said.
"I think it has gotten very politicized, and I'm disappointed Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi won't come to the table with a more reasonable position."
Capito serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairs its homeland security subcommittee.
She said she speaks to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin every day on the status and details surrounding a stimulus package.
"The main tenets of it are more help for schools, more testing and more vaccine development, and flexibility for the states to be able to reimburse state and local governments for revenue loss," she said. "The governor (Jim Justice) wants that in there."
She sees a bonus benefit for those on unemployment coming in at about $400 a week. Pelosi and House Democrats are seeking a $600 bonus similar to that approved in the first stimulus package earlier this year, while Republicans have suggested $200, according to Capito.
The package also could feature an expanded Paycheck Protection Program focusing on helping businesses who have lost revenue during the pandemic, she said.
The Republican bill also currently includes a $1,200 check for each U.S. resident like the one they received in the spring, except this time college students could be included, according to Capito.
Last week, she and husband Charles were among those attending President Donald Trump's nomination outside on the White House south lawn.
Most seated for the event were not wearing a facial covering, but the Capitos were.
"I had my mask on the entire time, and I was in the minority, disappointingly," Capito said. "I am very much a proponent of mask wearing. I think it is a very easy way to protect yourself and the people around you."
Those entering the event were required to wear a mask, according to Capito. Those who did not have a mask were given a mask.
Two tents were sent up to greet guests, and visitors were required to wear masks inside the tents as their temperatures were checked.
"Inside they were really strict," Capito said. "But once we got outside -- even though we were sitting a little less than six-feet apart -- people took their masks off. But I didn't."