Hill leaders almost agree on long-awaited Covid aid plan

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Democrats and Republicans sounded optimistic after the conclusion of personal talks on Tuesday between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Nothing has been finalized yet and details are sparse on what can be agreed, but all signs point to the likely announcement of a deal that will include provisions with widespread bipartisan support, including an expansion of unemployment benefits, loans for badly affected small businesses and money for the distribution of vaccines. Lawmakers can also extend the federal deportation moratorium and delay student loan payments.
While Hill leaders would not confirm what they agreed upon, both sides have likely made some significant concessions, which may include dropping demands for money for states and cities – a priority Democrats insist on – and a liability shield that the GOP had searched.

McConnell told reporters that “significant progress” has been made and said, “I am optimistic that we will be able to make an appointment soon.”

McCarthy similarly projected confidence, saying, “I think it’s going really well.”

Schumer said “it’s getting closer” when CNN asked him if he agreed with top Republicans’ assessment that a deal is near.

“We will exchange paper and hopefully we can reach an agreement soon,” said Schumer, adding, “I think there is a genuine desire to reach an agreement between all four parties.”

The meetings between top congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle, which closed shortly after 10 p.m. ET Tuesday for the evening, represent the most significant step in weeks in efforts to secure a deal on Covid aid and government funding before lawmakers Washington abandoned for the holidays and major pandemic aid programs expire at the end of the year.

Discussions between Hill leaders took place Tuesday after the formal disclosure earlier this week of a bill of law on a possible Covid stimulus plan proposed by a bipartisan coalition with the aim of finding common ground between a deeply divided congress.

Rather than releasing a single legislative package, the bipartisan coalition split their proposal into two bills, one dealing with the thorny issues of state aid and local aid and liability protection, while the other focused on provisions expected to have broad bipartisan support. to get.

The consensus law tabled by the bipartisan coalition that bypasses this issue, as well as liability protections, could serve as a ready-to-use starting point for what could be more widely agreed on Covid aid.

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