New stimulus checks could be agreed to in THREE DAYS if Congress makes Covid deal before deadline
NEW stimulus checks could be agreed to in three days if Congress makes a Covid deal before their deadline.
The lawmakers are nearing closer to their Friday deadline to confirm a relief plan.
However, on Tuesday night, instilled hope as he said lawmakers are getting "closer and closer" to an agreement.
"We're making significant progress and I’m optimistic that we’re gonna be able to complete an understanding sometime soon," McConnell said last night.
Despite not confirming the monetary amount of the discussions, he did confirm that "everybody" wants an agreement.
"I'm not gonna get into details but we're getting closer," he said.
"And as I’ve said all week and I’ll say again tonight – you’re tired of hearing it – everybody wants to finish. Everybody wants to get a final agreement as soon as possible. We all believe the country needs it. And I think we’re getting closer and closer."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also sounded positive about the Covid relief discussions.
"I think we’ve built a lot of trust. I think we're moving in the right direction. I think there's a possibility of getting it done. So we're finalizing out, to see if it's possible. Let us keep working."
For the , also sounded optimistic that a deal would be reached soon after leaving her office just before midnight.
"We're all here late … and tomorrow we'll be back early and we’ll be on schedule to get the job done," she said.
echoed McConnell's comments, confirming that a deal is "getting closer."
"We're talking, we're exchanging paper and ideas back and forth, making progress -- and hopefully we can come to an agreement soon," he said. "It's getting closer."
Despite the deadline being just three days away, on Tuesday McConnell hinted that the if they have to.
"We are not leaving here without a package," said on Tuesday.
"It’s not going to happen. .. no matter how long it takes, we'll be here."
He went on to say that the sides should take a deal on the points that they agree on now.
However, one main element that seems to be missing in this new package is .
will not be included in , despite families and workers still reeling from the pandemic and in need of emergency aid.
The aid package allocates about $300billion in funding for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, $240billion in aid for state and local governments, $180billion to extend boosted unemployment benefits at $300 per week through March, and includes liability protections for businesses that remain open during the pandemic.
The enhanced federal unemployment benefits would allow $300 per week for 16 weeks, food assistance and student loan forbearance, as well as funding for small businesses, schools and vaccines.
It notably does not include a second , prompting pushback from a handful of senators, including Senators and Josh Hawley.
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On Tuesday, Press Secretary said that would "" in the package.
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"His priority at the end of the day is getting relief to the American people. We've been the party that's flexible."
However, despite the lack of checks, Senator John Thune said on Tuesday that the list of differences for a Covid package between the right and left has narrowed.