Senate parliamentarian hears arguments on coronavirus relief bill
By Paul M. Krawzak
Posted February 24, 2021 at 3:29pm
Excerpt:
Democratic and Republican aides completed arguments before the Senate rules referee this morning over whether a minimum wage boost and other matters can be included in the emerging $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package under budget reconciliation procedures.
Senate Finance Committee staff met with the chamber's parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, on Tuesday night, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
That meeting was followed by another one Wednesday morning including aides to the Budget and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committees, with GOP Appropriations Committee staff also attending. Then a separate meeting brought back bipartisan Finance staff as well as Budget and HELP aides to talk to MacDonough about the minimum wage language.
MacDonough is expected to render a verdict later on Wednesday or Thursday, lawmakers and aides say