US congressional negotiators on Wednesday were “closing in on” a $900bn Covid-19 aid bill that will include $600 to $700 stimulus checks and extended unemployment benefits, as a Friday deadline loomed, lawmakers and aides said.Top members of the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and Republican-controlled Senate sounded more positive than they have in months on a fresh response to a crisis that has killed more than 304,000 Americans and thrown millions out of work.
For months, Republicans have been gunning for a stimulus package with a much lower price tag than what Democrats want. The two sides seem to have found common ground on a $908bn relief package – over $1tn less than the first stimulus package.
Their aides were struggling on Wednesday to draft legislative language as rates of Covid-19 infections are soaring to new highs, even as the United States starts to vaccinate people. The American economy is showing signs of weakening.
Negotiators were looking for a way to shift the approach to aiding hard-hit state and local governments, which has been a key Democratic priority but opposed by Republicans, one source familiar with the talks said. The measure, to be attached to a spending bill that must pass by Friday to avert a government shutdown, is not expected to include new protections for companies from lawsuits related to the pandemic, something high on the Republican agenda
Bill will include $600 to $700 stimulus checks and extended unemployment benefits
Source: US Congress closes in on $900bn Covid aid bill as Friday deadline looms
