WASHINGTON — One day after the U.S. COVID-19 death toll soared past a quarter of a million, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has agreed to resume relief talks with Democrats.
“Last night, they’ve agreed to sit down, and the staffs are going to sit down today or tomorrow to try to begin to see if we can get a real good COVID relief bill,” Schumer said during a Thursday news conference in New York, CNBC reported.
Schumer says McConnell has agreed to resume negotiations over Covid-19 stimulus https://t.co/ZYglb1xx9g
— CNBC (@CNBC) November 19, 2020
“So there’s been a little bit of a breakthrough in that McConnell’s folks are finally sitting down and talking to us,” the minority leader added.
Meanwhile, the timing of the “breakthrough” rang hollow for some, considering McConnell sent senators home Wednesday for the Thanksgiving break one day early, NBC News reported.
Today the House observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the more than 250k Americans who died from #COVID19.
— Rep. Ted Lieu 😷 (@RepTedLieu) November 19, 2020
We can't wait any longer. It's time for @senatemajldr McConnell to come to the negotiating table & work with @HouseDemocrats to deliver relief #ForThePeople. pic.twitter.com/6zpqghXV5I
An estimated 12 million people will lose unemployment benefits next month when two government-funded programs expire a day after Christmas, Reuters reported.
To date, Democrats have proposed a $2.4 trillion relief package, which should include a $1,200 check for millions of Americans, while Republicans countered with a more targeted $500 billion proposal that was blocked immediately as inadequate.
Republicans have tried for weeks to pass another targeted rescue package. It would send hundreds of billions of dollars to schools, unemployment aid, another round of the job-saving PPP, and healthcare.
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) November 18, 2020
Democrats repeatedly blocked it all. Let's hope they let us make law soon.
A senior Democratic aide told CNBC that there was a midafternoon meeting on Thursday of aides representing McConnell, Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The aide told the network that the group discussed coronavirus relief and efforts to pass a $1.4 trillion bill to keep government agencies operating beyond Dec. 11 when current funding expires.
Meanwhile. President-elect Joe Biden is slated to meet Friday with Schumer and Pelosi in Wilmington, Delaware, Reuters reported.
More coronavirus pandemic coverage:
>> Coronavirus: CDC acknowledges airborne transmission of COVID-19
>> Is it COVID-19, flu, cold or allergies? What is causing you to feel sick this year
>> Coronavirus: CDC updates guidance for COVID-19 testing
>> Dangerous hand sanitizer list up to more than 150 products, FDA announces
>> Wash your masks: How to clean a cloth face covering
>> Fact check: Will masks lower the oxygen level, raise the carbon dioxide in your blood?
>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does
Cox Media Group
