CORNING – Several U.S. Congressional members nationwide have voiced their support for a “Phase Four” of a stimulus package, citing the need to build on the three phases already passed in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Congressman Tom Reed spoke to regional reporters Tuesday. WNYNewsNow asked Reed for the latest on a potential “Phase Four” package. He says the Problem Solvers Caucus, of which he is the Republican Co-Chair, continues to negotiate on what would be included in the legislation.
“Those negotiations are occurring. They are being hammered out as we speak,” Reed said. “We are staying in contact with folks.” Reed adds there were concerns from the Association of Counties that a deal would be reached on a “Phase Four” late Sunday evening or early Monday morning.
The Republican Congressman says his office “intervened” to cease such talks.
“We were glad to be part of the effort to stop any ‘middle of night’ negotiations that were moving forward on Easter Sunday and Monday,” Reed said. “Where we are heading, I think, is an overall negotiation that is going to involve the extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), but much much broader than that.”
Reed says, however, that the earliest a “Phase Four” would be voted on is May 4, the earliest date Congress will be called back to vote, unless there’s an “emergency situation.”
WNYNewsNow will continue to cover the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, putting facts over fear.
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