Forward Kentucky: McConnell torpedoes emerging bipartisan deal for pandemic relief, leaving Congress where it’s been for months: stuck
KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS
“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,” The Associated Press reports.
| Will you become a member to support our work? From now to December 16, we are asking people who are not members to join Forward Kentucky. We believe the work we do is important; if you agree, please help it keep going. Go to the membership page to join today. Thanks! |
McConnell’s staff told the negotiators that he “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,” AP’s Lisa Mascaro and Andrew Taylor report.
In a Senate floor speech, the Republican leader said, “While Democrats hold the Paycheck Protection Program hostage over controversial state government bailouts, family businesses are closing their doors.” Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, a Democrat, and governor of both parties are pleading for more federal aid.