WAS SHINGTON – Covid-19 on Capitol Hill is a make-or-break week for relief, as the U.S. death toll from the virus is close to 300,000.
Congress leaders have set midnight on Friday to pass legislation to fund the government, and they say the Covid-19 aid package should be attached to it.
But it is not clear if they can reach a deal in time.
Democrats and Republicans are at odds over the size and scope of the deal. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Is seeking funding from state and local governments to pay police and essential workers, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Q, unless strong measures are taken to secure the deal. Not ready to support him until then. Employers from Covid-19-related lawsuits.
“I’m very optimistic that, next week, we’ll work for significant relief,” House Majority Leader Stanny Hoyer, D-Mo, told CNN on Sunday, “Inside Politics.”
Hoyer signaled some readiness to compromise on state and local aid, calling it “crucially important” but saying Congress should “do the necessary work” to help struggling Americans.
Congress has not approved major virus assistance since the Cares Act in March, and the number of cases has skyrocketed in recent weeks.
“The fact that we don’t have a second round of covid relief after nine months is that I’m personally disappointed and ashamed,” NBC’s “Meet the Press” said on Sunday. “Frankly, I’ll put a lot of that responsibility on the feet of Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.”
Some Republicans oppose federal funding for states and call it a bailout of poorly run local governments. The ield of accountability is highly controversial among Democratic leaders, who have dismissed it as “corporate immunity” from wrongdoing. A bipartisan group of legislators has helped raise ભાવ 908 billion in value, but has struggled to resolve the original disagreement.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Who said the working group would introduce a bill Monday night, noted caution about the possibility of a slimmed-down package without help for states.
“The reality is that the two sides will work together to get you through anything. And the people on the left say they don’t want that,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “So, yes, it would be great if we could get past it. But it doesn’t look like we can do it.”
Sources said the group plans to release two separate proposals on Monday.
There is a $ 748 billion proposal that includes money for small-business assistance and vaccine distribution. The second is a separate measure that includes 160 160 billion for state and local funding and liability protection. It is not clear which members will sign which plan, a source said.
An estimated 12 million workers will lose their unemployment benefits on December 26, the second day of Christmas, according to the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank. This includes freelancers and gig workers who are not generally eligible for business benefits.
Democratic and Republican leaders agree on a number of provisions, such as renewal of unemployment insurance and assistance for small businesses. But differences over the protection of liability, as well as state and local aid, hold the deal.
McConnell has proposed two completely contradictory provisions from the bill, but Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, DNY, said state assistance is important in getting the vaccine distributed and getting back to normal.
Meanwhile, Sense. Bernie Sanders, I-VT., And Josh Haley Wali, R-Mo., Are pushing for a new round of direct payments of Round 1,200. Sanders indicated he would seek to keep the final bill until a vote is made on his amendment to add the provision.
President Donald Trump has dropped out of the negotiations, and the history of his anticipation on the big piece of legislation is a wild card. The Trump administration has offered 9 16,916 billion, including direct payments of 600 600 billion, but unemployment benefits will fall sharply compared to the bilateral plan.
Congress hopes to end its year-end work this week and postpone it until Christmas Week. In the past, the incentive to go home for the holidays has motivated the parties to resolve their differences.
“There’s no way, no way we’re leaving Washington without taking care of the emergency needs of our people,” Sen. Manchin told Fox News on Sunday. “
Leu Ann Caldwell and Julie Siskin Contributed.
