The holidays are quickly approaching and Mitch McConnell says the Senate will not be leaving Washington unless a coronavirus aid package is passed. He is in favor of waiting until next year in order to reach a deal.
What We Know:
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advised on Tuesday, December 15th, that the Senate will not be leaving for the holidays until another coronavirus aid package is passed. As the deadline for legislation to be passed approaches, Congress is pushing for the agreement to be made by Friday, December 18th. Both Democrats and Republicans are hoping to attach the aid package to the government funding bill.
- McConnell says he supports dropping liability protection for businesses that remain open and funding for state and local government. Both of the matters have stalled negotiations and prevents congress from impactful legislation. Democrats cited other gains for states and localities in the emerging deal such as help for transit systems and vaccine distribution.
“We all know that the new administration is going to be asking for yet another package. It’s not like we won’t have another opportunity to debate the merits of liability reform and of state and local government in the very near future,” McConnell said.
- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Sunday on CNN’s “Inside Politics” that state and local aid was critically important, but he added that Congress must get the essential done to help struggling Americans. Still, even as there seems to be some momentum on Capitol Hill, the clock is ticking. Millions of workers will lose their jobless benefits on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, if the benefits are not renewed according to Yahoo News.
- Back in March 2020, Donald Trump passed the second Coronavirus Aid package. The latest package, named the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, responds to the growing health and economic crises with provisions for paid sick leave, free testing, and expanded unemployment benefits. A third package was approved and passed in the same month, roughly worth about $2 trillion. It was intended to speed relief across the American economy and meant to keep businesses and individuals afloat during an unprecedented freeze on the majority of American life. This package is known as the CARES Act.
Pelosi has insisted for months that state and local aid would be in any final bill, but as time is running out, Democrats appear unwilling to hold the rest of the package hostage over the demand.
