LANSING, Mich. (AP) — House Democrats want a quick up-or-down vote on disbursing $5 billion in federal coronavirus relief throughout Michigan, saying the funding shouldn't be delayed by Republicans pushing to curtail state-issued COVID-19 restrictions.
The aid was enacted by Congress and then-President Donald Trump five weeks ago.
It includes money for vaccine distribution, virus testing, food and rental assistance, and education.
House Republicans are proposing to withhold $1.8 billion in federal K-12 aid unless Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cedes the state health department’s authority to prohibit in-person instruction and sports to local health departments.
House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski says that's “simply unacceptable.”