Sep 6, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Dems back bill tying 3 month debt-ceiling raise to Harvey aid

Alex Brandon / AP

Senate Minority Leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Wednesday that Democrats would vote for a Hurricane Harvey relief bill that involves a three-month debt-ceiling increase:

"Democrats are prepared to offer our votes for the Harvey aid package, and a short term debt limit increase of three months. Given Republican difficulty in finding votes for their plan, we believe this proposal offers a bipartisan path forward to ensure prompt delivery of Harvey aid as well as avoiding a default, while both sides work together to address government funding, DREAMers, and health care."

House Speaker Paul Ryan shot back in his Wednesday briefing, calling their proposal "ridiculous and disgraceful": "To play politics with the debt ceiling like Schumer and Pelosi I don't think is a good idea... it puts in jeopardy the kind of hurricane response we need to have."

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A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis lies on the street after protesters pulled it down in Richmond, Virginia, in June. Photo: Parker Michels-Boyce/AFP via Getty Images

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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

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  4. Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits.
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World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

France reported more than 2,500 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours — the largest single-day number since May. French officials said the situation was "clearly worsening," per France 24.

By the numbers: Over 745,600 people have died of the novel coronavirus globally and over 20.4 million have tested positive, per Johns Hopkins. Almost 12.7 million have recovered from the virus.

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