Pelosi: $1T needed to avert state, city layoffs from virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday up to $1 trillion is needed to shore up state and local governments for coronavirus costs, a stunning benchmark for the next aid package that's certain to run into opposition from Senate Republicans.

Pelosi said the “heroes” fund would help prevent layoffs as governors and mayors stare down red ink in their budgets. Many jurisdictions are facing rising costs from the health pandemic and plummeting revenues in the economic shut down. The best way Americans can support local nurses, bus drivers and other front-line community workers, Pelosi said, is to make sure they don't lose their jobs to budget cuts.

“This is something of the highest priority, it honors our heroes,” Pelosi said.

Nurses, transit bus drivers and other workers "are risking their lives to save lives and now their going to lose their jobs,” she said.

The $1 trillion marker comes after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shifted his tone suggesting he is “open” to considering additional funds in the next coronavirus relief bill.

But the eye-popping figure comes on top of nearly $3 trillion Congress has already approved over the past month to salvage the economy and confront the health crisis.

Congress is partially reopening next week as House committees hold several hearings, and the full Senate gavels into session after being shuttered for more than a month during the pandemic.

McConnell said Thursday on Fox he's willing to consider money for the states, but isn't about to send federal dollars to bail out overspending.

“We’re not interested in borrowing money from future generations to send down to states to help them with bad decisions they made in the past unrelated to the coronavirus epidemic,” the GOP leader said.

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