Kennedy on COVID Cash, Another Stimulus and What About China?

Senator John Kennedy talks to 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the way the CARES Act money going to the states should be allocated, his thoughts on a second COVID 19 stimulus bill and how the US can hold China responsible for their secrecy and lies surrounding the spread of the virus.

First, Kennedy commented on proposed state legislation that would set aside a portion of COVID relief money for small business loans, a proposal Governor John Bel Edwards has said he would veto. "Our state Constitution says that all money spent by the state has to be appropriated by the legislature. The legislature decides how it's spent. So, when the legislature exercises its authority, it's doing so on a state Constitutional basis"

And Kennedy also cites the recently passed federal law itself. "There's nothing in the CARES Act...that says how states or cities are supposed to spend it, or who's supposed to make those decisions. Louisiana received $1.8 billion to use however it wants, as long as it's related to the Coronavirus. The Governor said he would like to send 45% of the money to local government, but it's ultimately up to the legislature."

And in reference to the possibility of another Coronavirus stimulus bill, Kennedy questions the chances. "In the Senate, to do another bill, there has to be sixty votes and I don't think there is a sixty vote consensus," he says.

Kennedy also expresses concern about the way relief money might be spent by 'blue states," citing Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker wanting to use federal money to pay for a raise for state employees.