After months of stalled talks, Congress reached an agreement over the next virus relief package. It doesn’t give Democrats or Republicans everything they want, but it will provide $600 direct payments to individuals.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the announcement.
“There will be another major rescue package for the American people. As our citizens continue battling this coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be fighting alone,” said McConnell.
The deal follows months of failed negotiations.
President Trump and others over the weekend demanded Congress send direct payments to Americans of $1,200. He stated China dropped the virus on the American people while calling on lawmakers to “get it done.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “a strong shot in the arm to help American families weather the storm.”
The package includes $600 direct payments to individuals and boosts unemployment payments by $300 a week. It also has billions for small businesses, food assistance, vaccine distribution, transit, healthcare, and rental aid.
The bill leaves out two of the most controversial elements in the negotiations: legal protections for businesses from virus-related lawsuits, sought by Republicans, and aid for states and local governments wanted by Democrats.
“And whether we have the majority in the Senate or the minority, we Democrats are going to push like anything to get a bigger, stronger bill. This bill is a good bill. Tonight is a good night. But it is not the end of the story,” said Schumer.
Schumer says Democrats are going to ask for further relief next year.
Leaders of both parties said the package should have enough support to pass both chambers of Congress.
A White House spokesman says the president supports the bill and will sign it into law.