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President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that federal money shouldn’t be used to aid states and cities run by Democrats, as he was set to meet with governors seeking billions of dollars in coronavirus assistance.
“Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states (like Illinois, as example) and cities, in all cases Democrat run and managed, when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help?” Trump tweeted. “I am open to discussing anything, but just asking?”
The National Governors Association, headed by Republican Larry Hogan of Maryland, has asked lawmakers to approve $500 billion in aid to states to make up for revenue lost due to closures related to the coronavirus.
Read:Here’s how bad state budget shortfalls could get, as aid battle set to ramp up.
Trump’s tweet comes amid a brewing battle over the next round of stimulus from Washington, and as some states slowly begin to reopen. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has called for a “pause” on more aid from Washington.
See: Next coronavirus aid package may not pass Congress until June as battle lines harden.
Trump has clashed with governors including J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, who recently said he’d “given up” on receiving federal aid to combat the coronavirus pandemic. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also a Democrat, pushed back at Trump on Monday, saying his state sends more money to the federal government than it receives.
Trump on Monday is scheduled to take part in a video teleconference with governors on the coronavirus and economic revival.
