Pelosi says House's state & local aid package could be $1 trillion

During her weekly press conference on April 30, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said the House plans to return the week of May 11. "We're not coming back next week. Our plan is to come back the following week," Pelosi said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has said that chamber will be back in session next week (May 4). When asked about the Senate leadership's decision, Pelosi said, "We're 430 members, the decision was made on the strength of our numbers and people coming together. Now, what they advised the Senate, I don't know. They are 100, we're four times that. … I can't speak for the Senate. I just know what our responsibility is in the House."

While the House will not be in session, a House Appropriations subcommittee has scheduled an in-person hearing for May 6 on the federal coronavirus response. Pelosi said some "smaller" committees may also meet. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), who appeared at Pelosi's press conference, said his new select committee overseeing the coronavirus response may also meet in some capacity. House Republicans have not yet named their members to the committee.

Also, when asked about the size of the assistance package for states and localities in the next "Phase 4" COVID-19 response bill, Pelosi said it could be as much as $1 trillion. "I've talked about almost a trillion dollars right there — I would hope so. But we do have other issues that we want to deal with." The National Governors' Association has requested $500 million in assistance.

Separately, Rep. Clyburn, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and 10 other Democrats on April 30 introduced an $80 billion bill for broadband connectivity nationwide. Their statement noted "reports that Republicans support the inclusion of broadband investment in the next coronavirus response packages."

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