Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Pelosi, Schumer 'encouraged' by Trump call for bigger coronavirus relief package Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (N.Y.) said Friday that Congress “probably will” need to appropriate even more money for jobless claims after a record 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week.

Another 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits in the week ending March 21.

“I believe that we will need a COVID-four and I hope that we’ll do it relatively soon,” Schumer said Friday. “Should we expand the benefits?"

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He said the $2.2 trillion package Congress passed into law last week “is not the final say” because “the problem might be even worse and we do not want to leave people behind.”

Schumer said he would be willing to expand the unemployment benefits program if the coronavirus pandemic does not let up in the months ahead.

The phase-three stimulus bill that President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE signed into law a week ago provides an additional $600 a week to state unemployment benefits and extends the relief for four months, paying the equivalent of an average worker’s full salary.

In some states, the beefed-up benefits may even exceed an average worker’s salary, some GOP senators say.

Schumer and Sen. Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal Hillicon Valley: TikTok, Oracle seek Trump's approval as clock winds down | Hackers arrested for allegedly defacing U.S. websites after death of Iranian general | 400K people register to vote on Snapchat MORE (D-Ore.) held a press call Friday morning to call on the Trump administration to redouble its efforts to speed up the distribution of enhanced unemployment benefits provided for in the recently passed coronavirus relief bill.

Schumer said the biggest obstacle to getting unemployment benefits out to millions of Americans who are making claims is that the states simply don’t have the infrastructure to handle a wave of new demand.

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He said the “most daunting” challenge is “to help the states expand their access, their people who accept calls.”

“This is the part that we’re pushing the hardest on,” he added.

Schumer said he had what he described as a “good conversation” with Trump on Thursday about why efforts to get help to struggling Americans isn’t “working the way it should now.”

The Democratic leader said Trump was open in their conversation to Schumer’s suggestion of appointing a senior military official to serve as a medical supplies “czar.”

“He said he would look at it,” Schumer said of Trump’s response.

Wyden on Friday said he thinks another round of economic relief is likely.

“If you have any question of whether it’s going to be necessary, just look at what I’ve been calling this massive escalation of jobless claims. This is a relentless kind of figure — up and up and up. My sense is that we’re going to need to do more for workers,” he said.

Wyden said he’s been on the phone with constituents “who see this as the beginning and not the end.”

Schumer also says the next coronavirus relief bill should include “hazard pay” for workers in the front lines in the battle against the coronavirus, such as doctors and nurses, and expand the special enrollment window for the Affordable Care Act.

“It’s something we feel is very, very important. People need health care, there are lots of people who don’t have health care, many of whom would qualify for the ACA,” Schumer said of expanding the enrollment window.