White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill

• Senate GOP lawmakers, angered by the administration's position, are pushing back and trying to keep the money for testing and tracing in the bill, two Republican sources told NBC News.
• Some White House officials reportedly believe new money shouldn't be allocated for testing because previous assistance funds remain unspent. 
• The Trump administration is trying to use the legislation to fund priorities unrelated to the pandemic such as a new FBI building, according to The Washington Post. 

The White House is trying to block billions of dollars for coronavirus testing and contact tracing in the upcoming stimulus relief bill, two Republican sources told NBC News, even as infections surge across the country and Americans face long wait times to receive test results amid high demand.  

Senate GOP lawmakers, in a break with the administration, are pushing back and trying to keep the money for testing and tracing in the bill, the sources told NBC News. Some White House officials reportedly believe new money shouldn't be allocated for testing because previous funds remain unspent. 

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