Progressives See Coronavirus Crisis As A Chance To Make Big, Lasting Policy Changes
Some Democrats are pushing for changes to the social safety net to address needs of people during the pandemic and beyond. Moderates caution the need for reassessing plans and bipartisan changes.
Democrats said the $3 trillion coronavirus aid bill that was approved last week in the House of Representatives is meant to meet the needs of everyday Americans. Republicans dismissed that same bill as a partisan attempt to enact a longstanding wish list of Democratic policy priorities.
Progressive Democrats don't exactly dispute that.
"Over 80% of the bill we have already passed in one way, shape or form," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters last week. "So, now we're putting our offer on the table. We're open to negotiation."
The bill that passed the House on Friday
