I'm Brian Lehrer. This is my daily politics podcast from WNYC Studios. It's Thursday, February 25th.

The House is hoping to finally take its vote by the end of the week on the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill.

If you're one of the millions of Americans holding your breath, not knowing if you're

extended unemployment or your eviction moratorium or other crucial benefits will expire next month,

you know this too well. But as they discussed on Morning Edition today, the endgame debate around the

bill is focusing largely on more permanent progressive economics that the Democrats have in

there too. For Republicans like Mitch McConnell, it's an accusation.

It was last March. Remember when a senior House Democrat called this disaster, quote,

a tremendous opportunity

to restructure things to fit our vision.

For Democrats, like House Appropriations Committee Chair, Rosa Deloro of Connecticut,

it's an opportunity.

We are not going back to normal, but where do we go for the future?

Where do we try to make enduring change?

Maybe you heard both of those clips and Kelsey Snell's NPR piece this morning. DeLoro was talking about a $300 a month child allowance

that will go to most American families for the second half of this year, something the piece said

DeLoro has wanted Congress to pass for 18 years and hopes

will become permanent. So let's talk about that and more with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries,

representing the 8th Congressional District in New York, which is much of Brooklyn and a little

bit of Queens, and he is a party leader as chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

Congressman, always great to have you on.

Welcome back to WNYC.

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