Schumer Accuses McConnell of ‘Political Stunt’ After Senate Democrats Block $250 Billion in Small Business Aid

In the Senate today, Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s attempt to quickly pass a $250 billion boost in funds for small businesses suffering revenue losses in the pandemic was blocked by Senate Democrats.

McConnell had sought unanimous consent in the Senate Thursday for the small business aid requested by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Monday may be the next chance to quickly approve more aid without objection, and lawmakers aren’t scheduled to return to Washington until the week of April 20.

Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took to Twitter to blame McConnell for the failure saying that he pulled a “political stunt” instead of “working with House and Senate Democrats.”

Senator Mitch McConnell just blocked a bill that provides money for small businesses, hospitals, testing, and more. Instead of working with House and Senate Democrats, he pulled a political stunt.

Senator Mitch McConnell just blocked a bill that provides money for small businesses, hospitals, testing, and more.

Instead of working with House and Senate Democrats, he pulled a political stunt.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 9, 2020

McConnell said that Small Business funding from the Stimulus bill was “at risk of running out of money” while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that “we want to make sure it is done in the best way for the most people. We have time to negotiate to see how and where and when we should have more money there.”

“We need more funding and we need it fast,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “The country cannot afford unnecessary wrangling or political maneuvering.”

The White House weighed with spokesman Judd Deere saying, “it’s beyond disappointing that Senate Democrats would choose to block our efforts to provide more emergency relief to small businesses.”

Schumer and Pelosi claim that they are seeking to double the McConnell’s $250 billion request for the slumping economy, including more federal aid for state and local governments and added funding for hospitals.