Negotiations fail despite increased COVID cases

Lisa Mascaro and Andrew Taylor 12/11/2020 [Associated Press, writer "Mitch McConnell
torpedoes Congress’ COVID-19 relief package," Tampa Bay Times, accessed at
https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/12/10/mcconnell-gop-wont-support-
coronavirus-relief-deal/] Sy 12-12-2020

WASHINGTON — An emerging $900 billion COVID-19 aid package from a bipartisan group of
lawmakers all but collapsed Thursday after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said
Republican senators won’t support $160 billion in state and local funds as part of a potential
trade-off in the deal. McConnell’s staff conveyed to top negotiators that the GOP leader sees no
path to an agreement on a key aspect of the lawmakers’ existing proposal — a slimmed-down
version of the liability shield he is seeking for companies and organizations facing potential
COVID-19 lawsuits — in exchange for the state and local funds that Democrats want. The GOP
leader criticized “controversial state bailouts” during a speech in the Senate, as he insists on a
more targeted aid package. The hardened stance from McConnell, who does not appear to have
enough votes from his Republican majority for a far-reaching compromise, creates a new
stalemate over the $900-billion-plus package , despite days of toiling by a bipartisan group of
lawmakers to strike compromise. Other legislative pile-ups now threaten Friday’s must-pass
government funding bill. If it doesn’t clear Congress, that would trigger a federal government
shutdown on Saturday. McConnell’s office confirmed it’s “unlikely” the trade-off proposed by
the bipartisan group would be acceptable , as COVID aid talks continue. A senior Democrat first
shared the Republican leader’s views after being granted anonymity to discuss the private
conversations. Deadlines, real and perceived, haven’t been sufficient to drive Washington’s
factions to an agreement, despite the U.S. breaking a record-high 3,000 daily COVID fatalities,
and hospitals straining at capacity from soaring caseloads nationwide.

Now is key
Jessica Dolcourt 12-12-2020 [Jessica Dolcourt, 12-12-2020, "Stimulus negotiations on a
collision course? 'We have to get this done'," CNET, accessed at
https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/stimulus-negotiations-on-a-collision-course-we-have-
to-get-this-done/] Sy 12-12-2020

"Everyone feels a sense of urgency. There is not a person on [Capitol] Hill, I think, who doesn't
feel the urgency," Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat representing New Jersey who has been
involved in the bipartisan group's work, told The Washington Post Monday. "I think everybody
recognizes the clock is ticking and it's getting louder. I think that's forcing resolution, and the
good news is we've made a lot of progress." The cost of not passing more aid before Dec. 31
would be steep. Tens of millions of Americans will be left without any federal support for weeks ,
while hunger and evictions mount and COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths soar. If Congress
decides to wait till 2021 to act, it could fall to Biden to push for more aid after he takes office
Jan. 20.