Schumer requests $8.5B to battle coronavirus, rejecting Trump budget demand as inadequate

Senate Democrats plan to seek $8.5 billion in new federal funding to battle the coronavirus outbreak after condemning President Trump’s $2.5 billion request as inadequate.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer “is preparing a detailed Senate request” for the money, a top aide told the Washington Examiner.

“Expect Schumer’s request to be finalized this morning and sent to appropriators,” the aide said.

Democrats on Tuesday dismissed the Trump administration's $2.5 billion emergency funding request as far too low to prepare the nation to combat the virus in an adequate manner, given...