Another Stimulus Check And Help For State and Local Governments?

House Democrats announced a new Covid-19 stimulus bill yesterday with a price tag expected to be more than $3 trillion -- which if passed would stand as the largest relief package in history.

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CNN reported that the legislation, which provides funding for state and local governments, coronavirus testing, and a new round of direct payments to Americans, will face immediate problems with the Senate, where Republican leaders have said another round of emergency funding is not yet needed.

Sen. John Barrasso, a member of Republican leadership in the Senate, warned the new bill is dead on arrival.

"That will not pass. It's not going to be supported," he said of the new legislation.

The bill, which Democrats are calling the Heroes Act, would provide nearly $1 trillion for state and local governments, a $200 billion fund for essential worker hazard pay, an additional $75 billion for Covid-19 testing, tracing and isolation, and a new round of stimulus payments to Americans.

The House is expected to meet Friday morning to vote on the legislation.

Republican lawmakers and the White House, however, say they want to wait to see the effect of previously enacted relief measures before moving forward with any new package. Without some Republican support, the House bill cannot pass in the Senate.

Republicans believe there is no "urgency" on passing another coronavirus relief bill and will likely wait until after Memorial Day recess to take up phase four legislation.

So with the bill being anything but a done deal, it looks like local and state governments, business leaders and the rest of America will likely see their Summer begin before they see any meaningful action.