Sen. McConnell: Compromise On COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Is Within Reach
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McMcConnell of Ky., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. (Bill O’Leary/Pool via AP) Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he’s hopeful Congress can strike a coronavirus stimulus bill before the end of the year. On Thursday, the Senate majority leader said a compromise on a roughly $500 billion bipartisan package is within reach. Democrats backed his proposal ,which includes Paycheck Protection Program loan funding, vaccine distribution funding and education funding. However, McConnell’s provision regarding COVID-19 liability protection for businesses and universities appears to be one sticking point for Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have, instead, pushed for aid to state and local governments as well as supplemental federal unemployment payments. “Now it’s been heartening to see a few hopeful signs in the past few days,” McConnell stated. “After months of arbitrary attachmen