Currents News Staff
It’s another stalemate on Capitol Hill, with Republicans and Democrats needing to work together to prevent the government from shutting down.
It’s not just a spending package, but many Americans are continuing to look to lawmakers to pass a much needed COVID-19 relief bill.
Now, another deadline is looming for lawmakers to pass a bipartisan bill, funding the government and possibly including COVID relief.
“We’re not going home until it’s done,” said Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, spreading optimism.”The emergency relief package is strictly an emergency relief. It’s not for long-term. We have this package to get us through the most difficult challenging times, the first quarter of 2021.”
But, there are familiar sticking points.
Democrats want at least $160 billion for state and local aid.
“There are nurses and teachers, paramedics, police officers who are facing layoffs in municipalities, counties and cities around the country. Roughly 1.3 million have already been laid off,” said Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware.
Republicans want Covid-19 lawsuit protections for businesses.
“People who did their best and acting in good faith shouldn’t have to face all sorts of lawsuits from people who come and go after them,” said Republica Senator Mitt Romney of Utah.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled the text of a $908 billion compromise COVID relief plan Monday, Dec. 14.
The plan includes two bills: one for state and local aid and liability protection; the other bill includes extending jobless benefits, dollars for vaccine distribution and extending small business loans, amongst other measures.