U.S. Congress reaches deal on COVID-19 aid package, top Senate Republican and Democrat say

[webfact]

U.S. Congress reaches deal on COVID-19 aid package, top Senate Republican and Democrat say

By Andy Sullivan and David Shepardson

 

FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol dome is seen at night in Washington, U.S., December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. congressional leaders have reached agreement on a $900 billion package to provide the first new aid in months to an economy hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, the Senate's top Republican and Democrat said on Sunday, but it remained unclear when Congress would vote to seal the deal.

 

"At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor.

 

The package would be the second-largest economic stimulus in U.S. history, following a $2.3 trillion aid bill passed in March. The deal comes as the pandemic accelerates, infecting more than 214,000 people in the country each day. More than 317,000 Americans have already died.

 

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the package should have enough support to pass both chambers of Congress.

 

"Finally we have some good news to deliver to the American people," he said on the Senate floor.

 

The package would give $600 direct payments to individuals, boost unemployment payments by $300 a week and give hundreds of billions of dollars in additional aid to small businesses. It would also provide $25 billion for rental assistance, sources said.

 

Lawmakers said they had resolved disputes over the Federal Reserve's pandemic lending authority, education funding and small-business lending. "I think it's for the most part wrapped up," Republican Senator John Thune told reporters.

 

Congress aims to include the coronavirus aid package in a $1.4 trillion spending bill funding government programs through September 2021.

 

Lawmakers said there may not be enough time to pass the measures before government funding expires at midnight Sunday (0500 GMT Monday), which means they would have to pass another temporary extension to keep the government operating.

 

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the chamber's top Democrat, told reporters earlier on Sunday she wanted to give members some time to review the package before calling a vote.

 

The bill leaves out two of the most contentious elements in the negotiations: legal protections for businesses from coronavirus lawsuits, which had been sought by Republicans, and the substantial aid for state and local governments advocated by Democrats.

 

Sources briefed on the matter told Reuters on Sunday the deal was expected to grant U.S. airlines $15 billion in new payroll assistance that will allow them to return more than 32,000 furloughed workers to their payrolls through March 31.

 

It would also include $1 billion for passenger railroad Amtrak, $14 billion for public transit systems and $10 billion for state highways, one of the sources said. A further $3.2 billion would help provide broadband internet access for low-income Americans.

 

EXPECT VOTES?

The bill would have to be passed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives before the Republican-controlled Senate could take it up. If passed, it would then go to President Donald Trump to sign into law.

 

Republican Senator John Cornyn said lawmakers might not be able to vote on the deal by midnight.

 

"I think it's doubtful, would be my guess," he said.

 

Senator Pat Toomey, a Republican, had insisted on language that would guarantee that the Federal Reserve could not revive emergency lending programs for small businesses and state and local governments after they expire on Dec. 31.

 

Republicans had said the programs were an unnecessary government interference in private business.

 

Democrats in turn accused the Republicans of trying to limit Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's options for boosting the flagging economy after he takes office on Jan. 20.

 

The pandemic will stand as the largest crisis facing Biden's new administration, although signs of hope have emerged as the United States has begun vaccinating people against the illness.

 

The two sides agreed on language that would not allow the exact program currently in place to renew but did not block similar programs from being created.

 

In the 11 months since the first cases of the new coronavirus were documented in the United States, COVID-19 has put millions of Americans out of work, with unemployment rising. Economists say growth will likely remain sluggish until vaccines are widely available in mid-2021. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/34pvUyi)

 

(Additional reporting by David Lawder, Patricia Zengerle, Susan Heavey, Idress Ali and Daniel Burns; Editing by Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker and Sonya Hepinstall)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-21

 

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[bkk6060]

600 bucks?

Seems cheap.

[John Drake]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

and give hundreds of billions of dollars in additional aid to small businesses.

 

Which will be administered by Big Banks. JP Morgan, for example, has already made $1 billion administering these loans, which should have been done by a government agency, such as SBA, which apparently is just sitting on its can doing nothing. But hey, $1 billion for me and $600 for thee. Shut up and be grateful, serfs.

[John Drake]

 

Congress had no problem taking its entire $130,000/year for 9 months of work, but it was like pulling teeth to get them to cough up $600 to help the average person. Not just Pelosi but McConnell, too. He didn't want to give anything. Coninc and Demsasusual padding their own wallets and telling everyone else to go to hell. But why not? When has the American electorate ever pushed back?

 

Edited December 22, 2020 by onthedarkside
quote of hidden post removed

[John Drake]

And what's in the bill? $15 billion payroll protection for the airlines to match the $25 billion they got in March. The kicker? There is no enforcement provision, which means the airlines can continue to furlough employees, then lay them off, and do stock buybacks with the $15 billion they are getting. 

[Tug]

It’s about fr%$$en time 

[placeholder]

But Trump did manage to get 100% deductions back for business lunches. Draining the swamp!

[Rimmer]

Off topic post removed

[newnative]

All the back and forth for months and they come up with a paltry 600 bucks?  

[placeholder]

6 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

Congress had no problem taking its entire $130,000/year for 9 months of work, but it was like pulling teeth to get them to cough up $600 to help the average person. Not just Pelosi but McConnell, too. He didn't want to give anything. Coninc and Demsasusual padding their own wallets and telling everyone else to go to hell. But why not? When has the American electorate ever pushed back?

 

Would have been a lot better if those funds went to increase payments to the unemployed back to the level it was under the first bill.

Why We Need to Increase Unemployment Insurance More Than We Need to Send Everyone Checks

We need to increase unemployment payments, not send everyone checks. (slate.com)

[J Town]

<sarcasm>

I'm going to take $400 of my check and pay off a credit card which will never get back to stimulating the economy. The remainder I will use to start a small business.

</sarcasm>

 

SHAMEFUL that the wealthiest nation on earth sticks it to "We, The People." If all the billionaires got together and gave each of us little people a $3000 check, they'd STILL be wealthier than they were at the beginning of the pandemic. They must have missed that class in early development on sharing.

[Solinvictus]

I got that last check while here in the LOS. Hopefully this one will be shipped over too!

 

I love my government working for me! I need the money <deleted>! (I'll debate anyone on this sort of pride)

[John Drake]

16 hours ago, placeholder said:

Would have been a lot better if those funds went to increase payments to the unemployed back to the level it was under the first bill.

Why We Need to Increase Unemployment Insurance More Than We Need to Send Everyone Checks

We need to increase unemployment payments, not send everyone checks. (slate.com)

 

Average social security payment is around $1400. A lot of people get $1000 or less. People on unemployment will be bringing around $3000/month. If you're going to give people money, those on social security need it more than the people already getting unemployment benefits. I have no problem with UE benefits, personally, but with Covid there needs to be a 10 percent (at least) increase for social security that is means tested for people with under $20,000/year total income. Banks and big corporations are making trillions, while average people choke and die.

[John Drake]

14 hours ago, Solinvictus said:

I got that last check while here in the LOS. Hopefully this one will be shipped over too!

 

I love my government working for me! I need the money <deleted>! (I'll debate anyone on this sort of pride)

 

$900 billion is approximately $3000 for every man, woman and child in the US. But we're only getting $600. Where did the other $1400 go? Look at the bill. It went to: Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sudan, et. al.

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

 

$900 billion is approximately $3000 for every man, woman and child in the US. But we're only getting $600. Where did the other $1400 go? Look at the bill. It went to: Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sudan, et. al.

3000 -/- 600  = 2400. So even more margin there.

[John Drake]

58 minutes ago, stevenl said:

3000 -/- 600  = 2400. So even more margin there.

 

It's pathetic. Airlines, banks, loan companies, big corporations, and foreign countries gobbling it all up. What happened to the $2200 we were promised a few weeks ago? These people are going to cause a revolution.

[placeholder]

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

Average social security payment is around $1400. A lot of people get $1000 or less. People on unemployment will be bringing around $3000/month. If you're going to give people money, those on social security need it more than the people already getting unemployment benefits. I have no problem with UE benefits, personally, but with Covid there needs to be a 10 percent (at least) increase for social security that is means tested for people with under $20,000/year total income. Banks and big corporations are making trillions, while average people choke and die.

Well, giving $600 to every person is certainly a wasteful way to to help those on Social Security. What's more, Social Security recipients mostly aren't going to be especially affected by the pandemic. They definitely deserve greater benefits but this is only a temporary and inefficient fix.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This current bill on which both parties now have apparently reached agreement is CONSIDERABLY smaller than two different bills that were passed previously by the Democrats in the House over vast Republican objections. Neither were supported by either Trump or the Republicans.

 

House Democrats pass $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill despite Trump’s veto threat

Speaker Pelosi overcomes divisions in her own caucus to pass sweeping bill; no sign of bipartisan negotiations

May 16, 2020

 

"House Democrats on Friday passed a $3 trillion tax cut and spending bill aimed at addressing the devastating economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak by directing huge sums of money into all corners of the economy.

 

But the White House and Senate Republicans have decried the measure’s design and said they will cast it aside, leaving uncertain what steps policymakers might take as the economy continues to face severe strains."

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/05/15/democrats-pelosi-congress-coronavirus-3-trillion-trump/

 

AND

 

House Democrats pass $2.2 trillion stimulus bill over GOP opposition; bipartisan talks continue

White House press secretary says Pelosi is ‘not being serious’; Pelosi says administration is offering ‘the heel of the loaf’

Oct. 2, 2020

 

"House Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill Thursday over intense GOP opposition, even as bipartisan talks between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin continued.

 

The legislation, which passed 214 to 207, has no chance of advancing in the Republican-led Senate and is opposed by the White House."

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/10/01/white-house-democrats-economic-stimulus/

 

Anyone who wants to complain about all the things this bill does NOT do -- including the original notion of $1200 relief payments, the higher amount of unemployment benefits, financial relief for state and local governments, etc -- needs to be looking squarely at Trump and the Republicans in Congress.

 

So what the country will end up with from this is maybe one-half to one-third of what had originally been proposed and passed by the House.

 

 

Edited December 22, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[PattayaJames]

Trump should toss this to the garbage.

[stevenl]

26 minutes ago, PattayaJames said:

Trump should toss this to the garbage.

Thanks for a fine argument.

 

Why should Trump toss this to the garbage?

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Thanks for a fine argument.

 

Why should Trump toss this to the garbage?

So it can be near where he keeps the constitution ????

[TopDeadSenter]

10 hours ago, PattayaJames said:

Trump should toss this to the garbage.

Trump is trying his best.

 

“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” he said, referring to relief cheques meant to go out to most Americans.

“I’m also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and just send me a suitable bill.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-demands-congress-amend-e2-80-98wasteful-e2-80-99-covid-relief-bill/ar-BB1c9Rk2

 

and as an example of the outrageous waste of taxpayers money on things having nothing whatsoever to do with covid relief. $10 million for Pakistan gender programs. Oh really!

 

The lengthy coronavirus relief bill lawmakers agreed upon over the weekend – and are hoping to approve this week – includes a number of lesser-known provisions that have raised some eyebrows.

Among them are a pair of assistance programs in Pakistan, whereby $15 million will be put toward “democracy programs” and $10 million will be distributed to “gender programs.”

Some Twitter users were frustrated about the intent to distribute funds for such purposes in the midst of a pandemic where many American households are struggling to make ends meet.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/covid-19-relief-legislation-pakistan

 

Thank you for trying Mr Trump, hope you manage to increase the amounts payable to Americans as you state.

[J Town]

13 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

<snip>

Thank you for trying Mr. Trump, hope you manage to increase the amounts payable to Americans as you state.

The problem is it's too little too late. 45 has abandoned his post, focusing on attacking the election process - essentially jousting at windmills and endangering himself of getting windmill cancer.

 

He could have, SHOULD have weighed in weeks ago. This is just one more action from a petulant man-child in retribution aimed at ALL who haven't kissed his ring. Yes, a $600 check is an absolute insult considering so many other countries with less available have given so much more to their citizens. More should be given to Americans for sheer survival, and if he were an empathetic man, he would have fought harder earlier. As far as he's concerned, he's not hungry so he just doesn't care.

[placeholder]

46 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Trump is trying his best.

 

“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” he said, referring to relief cheques meant to go out to most Americans.

“I’m also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and just send me a suitable bill.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-demands-congress-amend-e2-80-98wasteful-e2-80-99-covid-relief-bill/ar-BB1c9Rk2

 

and as an example of the outrageous waste of taxpayers money on things having nothing whatsoever to do with covid relief. $10 million for Pakistan gender programs. Oh really!

 

The lengthy coronavirus relief bill lawmakers agreed upon over the weekend – and are hoping to approve this week – includes a number of lesser-known provisions that have raised some eyebrows.

Among them are a pair of assistance programs in Pakistan, whereby $15 million will be put toward “democracy programs” and $10 million will be distributed to “gender programs.”

Some Twitter users were frustrated about the intent to distribute funds for such purposes in the midst of a pandemic where many American households are struggling to make ends meet.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/covid-19-relief-legislation-pakistan

 

Thank you for trying Mr Trump, hope you manage to increase the amounts payable to Americans as you state.

What? No protest about the 110 billion in tax breaks for special industries? And the restoration of the 100% deduction for the 3 martini lunch? And what was Trump doing while this bill was being negotiated apart ftom playing golf and vainly attempting to reverse the result of the election? Maybe that was the time to be heard from?

[bendejo]

I like Pelosi's response -- let's go for it!

This is DT's spite to the Republican Party, especially Mitch who refused to take his side in the attempt to overturn the election.  I get the impression he's trying to give Mitch a heart attack or stroke.  Do bear in mind DT is not really a Republican, he just became one to run for the presidency.

And anyway, it's not his money.  But stay tuned, on January 7th he may be the first president to be taken away in shackles.

 

 

[J Town]

1 minute ago, bendejo said:

I like Pelosi's response -- let's go for it!

This is DT's spite to the Republican Party, especially Mitch who refused to take his side in the attempt to overturn the election.  I get the impression he's trying to give Mitch a heart attack or stroke.  Do bear in mind DT is not really a Republican, he just became one to run for the presidency.

And anyway, it's not his money.  But stay tuned, on January 7th he may be the first president to be taken away in shackles.

Pelosi has essentially boxed the Rep's in. Dem's want it, 45 wants it, they will look HORRIBLE if they don't go along with it. Scrooge V 2.0.

[Sujo]

55 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Trump is trying his best.

 

“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” he said, referring to relief cheques meant to go out to most Americans.

“I’m also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and just send me a suitable bill.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-demands-congress-amend-e2-80-98wasteful-e2-80-99-covid-relief-bill/ar-BB1c9Rk2

 

and as an example of the outrageous waste of taxpayers money on things having nothing whatsoever to do with covid relief. $10 million for Pakistan gender programs. Oh really!

 

The lengthy coronavirus relief bill lawmakers agreed upon over the weekend – and are hoping to approve this week – includes a number of lesser-known provisions that have raised some eyebrows.

Among them are a pair of assistance programs in Pakistan, whereby $15 million will be put toward “democracy programs” and $10 million will be distributed to “gender programs.”

Some Twitter users were frustrated about the intent to distribute funds for such purposes in the midst of a pandemic where many American households are struggling to make ends meet.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/covid-19-relief-legislation-pakistan

 

Thank you for trying Mr Trump, hope you manage to increase the amounts payable to Americans as you state.

Trump did nothing. He wasnt part of any process. In fact, its the dems that wanted more and the trump admin arguing for less.

 

Why didnt he tell his party to get more? But now that he has entered the fray Nancy has called him out, shes all for it.

[Susco]

54 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Trump is trying his best.

 

“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” he said, referring to relief cheques meant to go out to most Americans.

“I’m also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and just send me a suitable bill.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-demands-congress-amend-e2-80-98wasteful-e2-80-99-covid-relief-bill/ar-BB1c9Rk2

 

While we're at it why don't make it 10.000$ in one go?

 

The only thing Trump is trying his best on is to interrupt the course of events as much as possible for the little time he has left, and to make sure the next government will be in an insurmountable debt.

[PattayaJames]

16 hours ago, stevenl said:

Thanks for a fine argument.

 

Why should Trump toss this to the garbage?

 

Thanks for your fine argument too.

 

Why should Trump NOT toss this to the garbage?

[Sujo]

17 minutes ago, PattayaJames said:

 

Thanks for your fine argument too.

 

Why should Trump NOT toss this to the garbage?

Because people need it, and more. Why wasnt trump involved and say he agreed with the dems?

 

Will you be disappointed when he approves it?