House Democrats Block Latest Republican Effort To Pass A Stimulus Bill

House Democrats blocked a Republican-led move to reconsider a coronavirus relief bill Thursday, the 40th time the majority party has blocked a package of GOP stimulus bills from passing the chamber.

Republicans urged the House to vote down procedural rules on an unrelated piece of legislation to allow for debate on Ohio Republican Rep. Steve Chabot’s proposed bill to reopen the Paycheck Protection Program, but the effort failed.

The failure also means that Americans will likely have to wait longer for some type of government relief. Congress has not passed a stimulus since March, and has been unable to agree on an additional stimulus package even though temporary unemployment benefits passed to mitigate the economic effects imposed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic expired in July.

Republicans are also pushing for signatures on a discharge petition, filed by Washington State Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, which would force consideration of Chabot’s bill. The petition has been cosigned by 185 Republicans needs 218 votes to pass.

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