When it comes to a new coronavirus stimulus package, time is of the essence for so many Americans. With 12 million people set to lose jobless benefits one day after Christmas, emotions and tensions are at all-time highs.
Congress has several issues on its plate with COVID-19 relief being only one of several matters. Each of the issues at hand needs to be handled delicately; however, time is also crucial and every passing day makes a huge difference.
In light of these details, Washington Examiner confirms that Congress is set to convene later today to deal with matters regarding a coronavirus stimulus package, government spending, and more.
What to Know About Today’s Congressional Meeting
Leaders in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are looking to reach an agreement today on coronavirus relief. This possible agreement will arrive one day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stood before his colleagues and called for a resolution on a stimulus package.
Lawmakers in Washington are additionally eying the current lending language of the Federal Reserve. This, too, is a critical matter, seeing as funding for the U.S. federal government is barely hanging on by a thread.
Productive conversations remain underway on COVID-19 relief. But Congress must not slide into treating these talks like routine negotiations at our routine pace.
This could not be more urgent. The Senate’s going to keep working right through the weekend until we get an outcome. pic.twitter.com/aXGTFunsPH
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) December 17, 2020
The stimulus package that Senate and House leaders are set to convene on contains a series of provisions. These provisions entail food stamps, rental assistance, $700 stimulus payments, and federal aid amounting to $900 billion dollars. Aid of this amount would be split amongst funding for healthcare facilities, daycares, businesses, and schools.
The Bigger Picture
At this time, a new coronavirus stimulus package is a significant priority in Washington. While Republicans and Democrats have their differences regarding the particulars to include in such a package, the work surrounding the lending language of the Federal Reserve is even more controversial.
Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer are blocking COVID relief because they want a slush fund for their political cronies. And they’re lying about Pat Toomey. The “Toomey language” is in fact the position of the Republican Senate Conference.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) December 19, 2020
Democrats and their supporters are already hitting Republicans for taking up this issue. While it will come up during today’s congressional meeting, Democrats have claimed that Republicans’ focus on the Federal Reserve’s lending language is merely a distraction. GOP officials, of course, see the matter very differently.
Based on these partisan differences and the history of past conflict between Republicans and Democrats, there are no guarantees for today’s meeting.
Do you have high hopes for today’s congressional meeting? Do you think Americans will soon have a new COVID-19 relief package to look forward to? Let us in on your thoughts in the comments section below!
