McConnell Proposes ‘Targeted’ COVID-19 Relief Package, but Dems Say It’s Not Enough

September 8, 2020 by Dan McCue
McConnell Proposes ‘Targeted’ COVID-19 Relief Package, but Dems Say It’s Not Enough
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, walks to his office from the Senate floor, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday the Senate would vote on a trimmed-down Republican coronavirus relief package, though it’s unlikely to appeal to Democrats who have already passed a much more sweeping package in the House.

The $500 billion package was released as senators returned to Capitol Hill for a brief, pre-election session. The House doesn’t come back until Sept. 14.

McConnell called the package “a targeted proposal that focuses on several of the most urgent aspects of this crisis, the issues where bipartisanship should be especially possible.”

It includes school aid, new money for vaccines and testing, and a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program for smaller businesses.

However, it omits many of the measures Democrats say are necessary, aid to state and local governments, more generous jobless benefits, and help for renters and homeowners.

All of these were included in the $3.5 billion relief bill House Democrats passed in May.

Even if some Democrats came on board for McConnell’s proposal, he still faces opposition within his own party. While Senators in tight races this fall want more aid, many of their GOP colleagues are resisting more spending.

Despite the division among the Republicans, the Senate is expected to vote on the relief bill on Thursday.

Democrats are almost certain to block the measure, which is about half the size of the relief proposal McConnell rolled out two months ago.

“It doesn’t come close to addressing the problems and is headed nowhere,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in a joint statement.

McConnell’s bill would provide $105 billion to help schools reopen, enact a shield against lawsuits for businesses and others that are powering ahead to reopen, create a scaled-back $300-per-week supplemental jobless benefit, and write off $10 billion in earlier debt at the U.S. Postal Service. There’s $31 billion for a coronavirus vaccine, $16 billion for virus testing and $15 billion to help child care providers reopen. There is additionally $20 billion for farmers.

The package will also include a school choice initiative sought by Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz and others that would provide a tax break, for two years, for people who donate to non-profit organizations offering private school scholarships.

It would also provide for a $258 billion second round of paycheck protection subsidies.

A+
a-
  • Coronavirus stimulus bill
  • Democrats
  • Mitch McConnell
  • Nanct Peosi
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Congress

    December 8, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    House and Senate Reach Agreement on NDAA, Votes Expected Next Week

    WASHINGTON — The Senate and House Armed Services committees announced Thursday that they’ve reached an agreement on the FY 2024... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Senate and House Armed Services committees announced Thursday that they’ve reached an agreement on the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, jettisoning some, but not all, of the controversial amendments added by House Republicans last summer. Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Roger Wicker,... Read More

    December 6, 2023
    by Tom Ramstack
    Lawmakers Review Biden’s Order on Artificial Intelligence Development

    WASHINGTON — The United States needs to innovate fast or fall behind in the international race to develop artificial intelligence,... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The United States needs to innovate fast or fall behind in the international race to develop artificial intelligence, industry executives told Congress Wednesday. The U.S. government took what one witness at the congressional hearing called “a big step” with President Joe Biden’s executive order... Read More

    December 6, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    Greene Seeks to Reinstate Pilots Fired Due to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

    WASHINGTON — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has introduced legislation in the House aimed at reinstating pilots who were fired... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has introduced legislation in the House aimed at reinstating pilots who were fired or forced to resign due to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. A companion bill is being sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan. While there is... Read More

    December 6, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    McCarthy to Leave Congress at End of the Year

    WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., ousted from that position just two months ago by hard-right members of... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., ousted from that position just two months ago by hard-right members of his own party, announced Wednesday that he will retire from Congress at the end of the month. “I have decided to depart the House at the... Read More

    December 5, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    Special Election to Replace George Santos Set for Feb. 13

    ALBANY, N.Y. — The special election to replace disgraced former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., will be held on Feb. 13,... Read More

    ALBANY, N.Y. — The special election to replace disgraced former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., will be held on Feb. 13, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday evening. As previously reported by The Well News, Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives on Friday by... Read More

    December 5, 2023
    by Tom Ramstack
    Republicans Gather Evidence in Move Toward Biden Impeachment Inquiry

    WASHINGTON — The House will vote next week on formally authorizing its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, Speaker Mike... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The House will vote next week on formally authorizing its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said during a briefing with reporters Tuesday morning, saying Republicans have “no choice” but to push ahead in light of White House resistance to... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top