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WASHINGTON: Top Republicans in the United States Congress showed a united front on Friday (May 1) in their attempt to include coronavirus-related liability protections for businesses, saying such measures will be crucial in talking about the future. aid legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy issued a joint statement redoubling their demands that “Americans on the front lines of this fight should receive strong protections from frivolous lawsuits. “
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“Senate and House Republicans agree that these protections will be absolutely essential for future discussions around recovery legislation,” they said.
The statement marks a hardened line of demarcation between Republicans and Democrats on the issue of corporate responsibility as the two sides discuss the prospects for a new coronavirus relief package. Democrats are pushing for nearly $ 1 trillion in federal assistance to state and local governments.
With half of all US states. USA Moving forward with their own strategies to ease restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses closed by the coronavirus crisis, business groups have been pushing for protection against COVID-19-related lawsuits for companies that follow health and safety guidelines. .
The Trump administration is also pushing for liability safeguards, as well as a reduction in trade regulations.
But Democrats have rejected Republican calls to include liability protections in the legislation, saying such a move could endanger workers and patients.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Friday that liability protections should be included in the new legislation among pro-growth measures, including payroll tax cuts for workers and business investment spending. .
“We will probably meet in a few weeks and resume the discussions. But I think our emphasis will be on incentives for future growth,” Kudlow said in an interview with Fox News.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that money for state and local governments would form the core of the next legislative package that House Democrats are drafting. Other democratic priorities include expanding broadband access.
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