Rep. Kevin Brady Tuesday blasted Democrats, particularly House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for the continued impasse on coronavirus stimulus legislation and said it's "frustrating" that an agreement has not been reached after several months of negotiations.
"We should have had a COVID package done for the American people two months ago," the Texas Republican and ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "Everyone knows what we need, PPE [personal protective equipment] focused on small businesses, more help for the mid-sized businesses and distressed industries where we know the economy isn't recovering quite as quickly as we would like, and targeted relief."
Much of the issue is Pelosi, he added, because rather than pushing for a $2 trillion "wish list," the COVID-19 stimulus plan could have been finished.
"I'm not sure she was open to helping this economy ahead of the election," said Brady. "Perhaps she will be afterward."
Meanwhile, Brady said he hopes the results of the election will be out sooner or later.
"Obviously in the Senate, the contested races in Georgia, obviously we'll draw or may draw that out," said Brady. "I know the enthusiasm in Texas and early voting, we haven't seen a blue wave. Democrats came out of the gate pretty quickly in early voting, but Republicans, as we closed out, have about almost a 600,000 vote expansion or lead among primary voters, but a lot depends upon today."
Traditionally, more Republicans like voting on Election Day itself, Brady said, so he's optimistic President Donald Trump will take Texas, as will Sen. John Cornyn.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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