Washington – A bipartisan coalition of senators on Monday released a series of legislative speeches on a pair of corona virus relief bills aimed at providing economic assistance to U.S. workers and small businesses.
Senator Joe Munchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia, put two thick papers on stage as he announced $ 748 billion in comprehensive action and $ 160 billion in addition to state and local funding.
“Both sides and the compromise are alive in Washington, contrary to what you asked for. We have proven it,” Munchin said, surrounded by a group of his colleagues. Republican Senator Susan Collins called it a “Christmas miracle” and said lawmakers worked during the legal holidays to create the bill.
Collins said the House and Senate leadership and the White House would “take our products and use them as the basis for a Govt relief package that is urgently needed.”
Collins also said he supports the $ 160 billion bill. Since the Republicans have a slim majority in the Senate, it may be important to ensure that his support for the second bill actually passes in the Senate.
“I would like to register for both of these bills,” Collins said.
The law is the culmination of two weeks of bilateral and bilateral talks on another emergency relief measure, ahead of the expiration of major epidemic-related projects later this year. Earlier this month, the group unveiled a framework for their $ 908 billion plan, which is now divided into two bills. The plan does not include another round of direct payments to Americans.
The 88 748 billion move is expected to include additional funding for the popular payroll protection program, schools and unemployment insurance, as well as additional funding for vaccine development and distribution, corona virus testing and contact tracking. Both Republicans and Democrats accept the move.
The second bill, however, will address two issues stuck in the negotiations for a relief package between Republicans and Democrats: $ 160 billion for state and local governments, a priority for Democrats, and a shield for business, important for Republicans. Republicans oppose the former, while Democrats think the shield of responsibility could affect workers.
GOP Senator Mitt Romney noted that Republicans opposed funding for state and local governments because of the wide variation in the level of demand between states. He described the shield of responsibility as an exchange for state and local aid, and said both Republicans and Democrats worked hard to reach that agreement.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says $ 8 billion out of $ 160 billion will be allocated to tribal governments, with a specific distribution formula based on population for the remaining states and territories. Each state will receive at least $ 500 million, and governors will have to distribute 40% of the proceeds on a proportional basis. “States will not be allowed to use these funds for pensions,” Cassidy said.
Two members of the council involved in the talks spoke: GOP Congressman Tom Reid and Democratic Congressman Josh Godheimer, co-chairs of the two-party problem-solving Caucasus. Gotheimer said going home during the December holidays without passing the aid bill was “not an option.”
“We will do this. Not for us, but for the people we represent, and soon for the people who need it,” Reid said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Monday that before the panel releases its proposal, we will see if the Democrats’ majority supports a bill without funding the state and local governments.
“We’ll see if they can come together. We believe the state and the locals are the right thing to do,” Schumer said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Dec. 8 that lawmakers should set aside responsibility for security and assistance to state and local governments and note next year that “we are doing things we can accept.”
It is not clear whether Congress leaders will consider these bills. McConnell’s staff said last week that there was no way to reach an agreement on state and local finance and liability protection acceptable to Republicans.
Senators involved in the effort include: Democratic Senators Joe Munchin of West Virginia, Mark Warner of Virginia, Jean Shaheen of New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Dick Durbin of Illinois; Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah and Rob Portman of Ohio; And Angus King, an independent senator from Maine.
Lawmakers have been divided for months over the size and purpose of a corona virus relief package, although the timeline for their implementation is rapidly being reduced. Many programs aimed at helping Americans struggling financially with the epidemic, including the unemployment assistance program, the nationwide expulsion ban and the federal student loan freeze, expire later this year.
Congress leaders say it is urgent to send another relief package to President Trump’s desk before lawmakers return to their districts for the holidays.
“If we don’t come to an agreement, we have to stay in the Capitol on Christmas and New Year’s Day because people are suffering,” Schumer said Sunday. “Congress should not go home until we get a deal.”
When the funds expire, lawmakers must also agree to a deal to draft a major government spending bill before December 18. Congress leaders have expressed interest in incorporating a corona virus relief bill into the universal fund.