Tuesday, Senators brought to the table, three stimulus package proposals aimed at delivering some economic relief as 2020 comes to an end. But thus far, none has brought the US any closer to a COVID-19 rescue bill that will pass both chambers of Congress.
A $908 billion proposal introduced by a group of Democratic and Republican senators on Tuesday, was rejected by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“We just don’t have time to waste time,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters in response to the $908 billion plan.
The framework of the bipartisan relief bill released Tuesday includes:
- $288 billion in small business aid such as Paycheck Protection Program loans
- $160 billion in state and local government relief
- $180 billion to fund a $300 per week supplemental unemployment benefit through March
- $16 billion into vaccine distribution, testing, and contact tracing
- $82 billion for education
- $45 billion for transportation.
- Allocate funds for rental assistance, child care, and broadband
This proposal contains no relief as far as stimulus checks for Americans. No direct payments.
“We recognize that families all across America are struggling, that businesses are closing, that hospitals are overwhelmed,” Sean. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, said from the Senate floor. “It is absolutely essential that we pass emergency relief.”
In October the White House offered up a $1.8 trillion package with $300 billion dollars going to key fiscal relief for state and local governments.
However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected the offer, calling it “one step forward, two steps back.”
President Trump criticized Mnuchin for not pushing for a deal even larger than $1.8 trillion, telling Fox Business that he had informed the Treasury Secretary of his desire for a bigger bill but so far, Mnuchin “hasn’t come home with the bacon.”
Thus far, no one is coming home with the bacon.
