Republicans and Democrats in Congress appear unlikely to find a way forward on a COVID-19 relief package soon, with each side unwilling to budge from its position.
“We’re at the same place,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters November 12 after being asked about progress toward a relief package. Joined by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., Pelosi said the need for a large package is more evident now that infection rates across the country are surging. “Look at the numbers,” she said.
But across the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he doesn’t believe that a large package is necessary, finding optimism in a recent positive jobs report and a potential vaccine soon.
McConnell told reporters that he agrees another package is necessary to address the crisis, but that his caucus is unwilling to adopt the $2.2 trillion package suggested by Democrats. Instead, he repeated his desire to pass a targeted relief measure that costs about $500 billion and extends the Paycheck Protection Program for a second round of loans to small businesses.
Democrats have repeatedly called the targeted relief measure offered up by Republicans “anemic” and incapable of addressing the worsening health crisis. Some Democrats have urged leaders in both parties to strike any kind of deal and move on from there.
Senate Democratic Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois told CNN that a bipartisan bill to take quick action would be helpful. “It doesn’t mean we get everything, or they get everything,” he said.
Lawmakers are under further pressure to pass an omnibus spending bill by December 11 to prevent a government shutdown.