The Home handed laws Wednesday to avert a doubtlessly catastrophic rail strike that President Joe Biden warned may threaten the U.S. economic system simply weeks earlier than Christmas.
The invoice, which handed 290-137 with broad bipartisan help, now heads to the Senate, the place each Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Chief Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have stated lawmakers have to intervene this week.
“Chief McConnell and I each wish to go it rapidly,” Schumer advised reporters within the Capitol after a gathering with Biden and different high congressional leaders Tuesday. “We perceive the time deadlines, and we’ll be working collectively and work out one of the best ways to get it carried out rapidly.”
However senators have simply days to behave — railway staff are vowing to strike by Dec. 9 if a brand new settlement cannot be reached — and a few lawmakers are threatening to throw up roadblocks that would gradual the method. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a labor ally, stated Tuesday that the invoice does not go far sufficient and that he’ll maintain it up till the Senate votes on his modification to make sure that staff receives a commission sick go away.
“At a time of document income within the rail trade, it’s unacceptable that rail staff have ZERO assured paid sick days,” Sanders tweeted. “It’s my intention to dam consideration of the rail laws till a roll name vote happens on guaranteeing 7 paid sick days to rail staff in America.”
Different progressives additionally wouldn’t decide to again the rail proposal. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., additionally stated she wished paid sick go away included within the ultimate invoice: “There may be loads of cash for these rail firms to offer just a few sick days for the people who find themselves truly doing the work.”
And whereas he touted Biden as “essentially the most pro-union president of our lifetimes,” Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, stated he hasn’t determined how he’ll vote but.
Home Democratic leaders got here up with a inventive answer to deal with the considerations of progressives of their caucus. Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated Tuesday night time that the Home would vote on the rail laws, which might undertake a tentative settlement the White Home negotiated between the railroad firms and labor leaders in September.
However the Home additionally handed a invoice Wednesday that might add seven days of paid sick go away to the deal, on a a lot nearer 221-207 vote with three Republicans voting yea. Each payments will now be despatched to the Senate, which may resolve the way to proceed.
It’s not simply liberals who’re slamming the legislative repair. Conservative Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., stated he needs Congress to get out of the best way and the employees and the operators to return to the negotiating desk.
