After months of delays and lacking compromise, congress has reached a $900B deal on a stimulus package and COVID relief.
What We Know:
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) held a press conference this evening discussing the process of the negotiations as well as what is and is not included in the relief package.
- “Today, we have reached agreement with Republicans and the White House on an emergency coronavirus relief and omnibus package that delivers urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates.”
- The new deal has removed provisions such as corporate immunity which would allow many corporations to escape liability claims for COVID-19 exposure or other risks to employees. According to Schumer, the bill also carries “more relief than any bill except the CARES bill” and includes “a lot of assistance not included in McConnell’s bill,” which did not include COVID-19 research funding or unemployment insurance payments.
- The new package includes remedies such as direct payments to some Americans, paid sick leave for employees, nutrition and food assistance, rental assistance, education and child care, and broadband access.
- Congress will have a final vote tonight with Trump expected to sign the deal tomorrow to finalize the package before congressional leaders go home. The full joint statement from Pelosi and Schumer on the relief package can be read here.
We will continue to keep release updates as they are made available on timing of the aid for American relief.