As lawmakers aim to come together on a third coronavirus relief package, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) says there is no time for delay.
The Maine senator addressed her colleagues from the Senate floor on Monday, the day after she criticized Democratic lawmakers for blocking action on the package proposed. She accused them of âplaying with fire.â
âI cannot believe that the answer to this crisis as we move to address the economic consequences that are so severe, for the people of this country, that the answer from our friends on the other side of the aisle is delay, delay, delay,â Collins said, adding, âNo sense of urgency.â
âNever have I seen Republicans and Democrats fail to come together when confronted with a crisis.â
After noting that the Democratic leader âobjectedâ to speaking earlier in the day on Monday, Collins asked, âIs that what weâve come to?â
âThe third package that we have dealt with, this one is would address and prevent the economic devastation that is being caused by this virus,â she said.
Collins continued, âWe donât have another day. We donât have another hour. We donât have another minute to delay acting.â
Watch Collinsâ remarks below:
The Republican lawmaker received push back from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), as she tweeted, â can keep her crocodile tears.â
âSusan Collins is not a moderate. She just plays one on TV,â Ocasio-Cortez added.
From the Senate floor on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a message to Democratic lawmakers, âAre you kidding me? This is the moment to debate new regulations that have nothing whatsoever to do with this crisis? Thatâs what theyâre up to over there.â
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, âWe have an obligation to get the details right, get them done quickly. That doesnât mean blindly accepting a Republican-only bill. That was the bill we were given.
The Senate is expected to vote on Monday afternoon on whether to advance the economic package.
