Senate Pushback Expected in Phase Four Stimulus Bill

On Friday, the House passed a phase four economic stimulus bill with a price tag of $3 trillion. Senate Republicans say the bill will be dead on arrival in the Senate. The Russell Group President Randy Russell says the cost of the bill is one hang-up. “This is real money we’re talking about. That’s giving people pause in some quarters about at what point can we as a country continue to afford these large COVID-19 packages, as much as they’re needed,” says Russell. “I think that’s why this will become more controversial. It’s not going to be easy to get done. Negotiations could go on into June before a compromise is reached in the Senate. I don’t think in the end we’ll end up with a $3 trillion package; I think it will cost less than that.” There are a few agriculture provisions included in the bill. “It’s almost a mini farm bill,” says Russell. “The bill includes $16.5 billion in new COVID-19 direct payment and they didn’t increase the Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing limit, as speculated by some.”