Senate Republicans are crafting a new coronavirus aid package that will provide more than $100 billion to open schools, new aid for small businesses, and another round of direct payments to individuals and families, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday.
The Kentucky Republican outlined in a Senate floor speech the GOP’s plans to fund treatment, testing, and a vaccine for the coronavirus, contradicting a push by some Trump administration officials to hold back on new funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If we lose control of the virus or if research stalls, then everything else will be window dressing,” McConnell said. “Our proposal will dedicate even more resources to the fastest race for a new vaccine in human history, along with diagnostics and treatments.”
The Senate GOP is expected to unveil elements of its aid package this week, including a $105 billion boost for schools.
McConnell said it will include lawsuit liability protections for businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities, backed up by new federal aid to help facilitate safe reopenings.
“The American job market needs another shot of adrenaline,” McConnell said. “Senate Republicans are laser-focused on getting American workers their jobs back. Our bill takes several specific incentives to hire and retain workers and turn the dials on those policies way up.”
McConnell said new funding would help pay for testing, cleaning, and remodeling of businesses to protect workers and reassure customers.
Democrats and Republicans are just beginning bipartisan negotiations on Capitol Hill. While Republicans will meet with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday to discuss President Trump’s proposal to cut payroll taxes, Democratic leaders will also huddle with Mnuchin to outline their own demands.
Democrats want the GOP to back the $3 trillion coronavirus aid package passed by Democrats and one Republican in the House in May.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, are proposing a $430 billion aid package for schools to reopen.
Democrats believe they can push the GOP to support a more expensive bill than the $1 trillion initial offering announced in recent days by McConnell.
“They are moving close to our position,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said Tuesday.
Lawmakers have about two weeks to work out a deal. The House adjourns at the end of July and is not planning to return until after Labor Day. The Senate plans a similar recess beginning a week later.
Pelosi told Democrats in a conference call that she is aiming to secure a deal on a bill by next week.
