They have to do something before leaving for the holidays!
in part:
Bipartisan group of senators announces $908 billion stimulus plan, aiming to break partisan logjam
The package comes amid signs that the economy is weakening, but it does not have buy-in from the White House and congressional leaders.
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The plan circulated by the bipartisan group is light on details but seeks to reach a middle ground on numerous contentious economic issues.
It would provide $300 a week in federal unemployment benefits for four months — a lower amount than the $600 per week Democrats sought, while still offering substantial relief to tens of millions of jobless Americans. The agreement includes $160 billion in funding for state and local governments, a key Democratic priority opposed by most Republicans, as well as a temporary moratorium on some coronavirus-related lawsuits against firms and other entities — a key Republican priority that most Democrats oppose. The measure also includes funding for small businesses, schools, health care, transit authorities and student loans, among other measures.
....Sen. Richard J. (Ill.), the second-highest-ranking Senate Democrat, was involved in the discussions but ultimately did not appear with lawmakers at the Tuesday news conference. In a floor speech, Durbin cited disagreements with the group’s decisions, arguing that it should have excluded the liability shield, but said: “I’m still willing to work on it. … Let us not make the best the enemy of the good.”
Durbin called for the legislation to come to the Senate floor, despite his reservations.
“I’m not happy with a lot of these figures,” he said. “But that’s what it’s all about, in this world of the United States Congress: You come together, willing to sit down and listen to the other side and, if necessary, compromise.”
Economists have warned of devastating consequences for the economy and millions of Americans if no stimulus deal is passed. A number of relief programs are set to expire at the end of the year. Twelve million Americans are on pace to lose their jobless benefits, and protections for renters and student borrowers are also set to expire along with a federal paid family leave program.
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The bipartisan agreement includes about $288 billion in funding for small businesses, including through the Paycheck Protection Program and other aid. It also includes $45 billion for transportation agencies; $82 billion for education; $26 billion in nutrition assistance; and $16 billion in health care, including to help with coronavirus testing and tracing, and vaccine distribution.
The effort was expected to leave out a second round of $1,200 stimulus payments, as a way to bring down its overall cost, even though Trump and Pelosi support it.
more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/12/01/stimulus-congress-coronavirus/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/12/01/stimulus-congress-coronavirus/
DO SOMETHING!
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