Sanders says Democrats will pass coronavirus relief package by simple majority

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Incoming chairman of the Senate Budget Committee that caucuses with Democrats, told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that Democrats plan to pass a coronavirus relief package across the house by simple majority vote.

Why is this important: “Budget reconciliation” would allow Democrats to waive the Senate’s 60-vote requirement and could potentially speed up the next relief plan for millions of unemployed Americans. Democrats hold the 50-50 split in the Senate with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the deciding vote.

What he says: “What we can’t do is wait weeks, weeks and months to move forward. We have to act now,” Sanders said.

• “We are going to use reconciliation – it’s 50 votes in the Senate, plus the Vice President – to pass legislation that working families in this country desperately need right now.”
• Asked if he wanted a rescue bill passed before former President Trump’s impeachment trial began the week of February 8, he said: “We have to do everything. It’s not – you don’t have time to sit down, weeks of arraignment and not put vaccines in people’s arms. “