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The Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group of House lawmakers, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, chaired by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). It has been involved in recent negotiations on issues from infrastructure to police reform. The co-chairs join Jacqueline Alemany, congressional reporter and author of the "Power Up" newsletter, to discuss the role of the group, its legislative priorities and backing for a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
- Congress aims to approve another coronavirus relief package and a government funding bill this week as millions are set to lose financial benefits during the pandemic.
- A bipartisan group released its $908 billion aid legislation Monday, but lingering disagreements over state and local government aid, liability protections and direct payments could make reaching a deal a challenge.
- The measure would also put $6 billion into vaccine distribution.
Judy Woodruff:
How do you break a stalemate?
Lawmakers and the White House remain at odds on how to agree on relief to the economic casualties of COVID. Despite the odds, a group of U.S. House members on both sides of the aisle are trying to breach the divide.
John Yang has the story.
John Yang:
Judy, the group of 25 House Democrats and 25 House Republicans calls itself the Problem Solvers Caucus. Its new plan has a $1.5 trillion price tag.
AS OF TUESDAY morning, this was the status of efforts to move a much-needed new round of pandemic-related economic support through Congress: The House had passed a $3.4 trillion bill in May, which was quickly dismissed by Republicans as far too expensive. Talks between the White House and Democratic congressional leaders on a compromise fell apart before lawmakers took an August recess.
In a crisis, statesmen find a way to compromise. Can the Democratic and Republican leaders of Congress manage that?
The 50-member bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus is offering a $1.5 trillion bill to end the latest impasse over coronavirus relief, to deliver the aid that both sides agree is needed.
Facing growing concern from moderate Democrats in competitive re-election races, Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said on Tuesday that the House would not leave for the November elections without acting on an additional round of federal aid to prop up the coronavirus-ravaged economy.
The leaders of the House Problem Solvers Caucus Friday expressed optimism that Republicans and Democrats will soon come together on a major coronavirus deal to continue supplemental unemployment benefits, help struggling small businesses and fund the reopening of schools.
NPR's Michel Martin speaks to Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) about the latest coronavirus relief bill and calls for Congress to change its rules to allow more remote work.