Congress Debating New COVID-19 Relief Bill As Cases Soar

Campbell CA

20 December, 2020

6:48 PM

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By Katie King, San Jose Spotlight December 19, 2020 San José Spotlight is the city's first nonprofit news organization dedicated to independent political and business reporting. Please support our public service journalism by clicking here. WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the coronavirus pandemic worsening and Congress under fire for failing to pass a relief measure, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed legislators would remain in session, even over the holidays, until they reach an agreement on a new COVID-19 aid bill. "The talks remain productive. In fact, I am even more optimistic now than I was last night that a bipartisan, bicameral framework for a major rescue package is close at hand," McConnell said Dec. 18 on the Senate floor. Lawmakers are considering an approximately $900 billion relief package. The measure would provide $600 checks to individuals and an extra $300 a week for those on unemployment. It would also allocate $330 billion for small businesses and provide funding for housing assistance and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. After recent negotiations, the bill is no longer expected to include a provision promoted by Republicans that would shield businesses from pandemic-related lawsuits or funding for local and state governments, which Democrats have pushed for. The latest negotiations come after months of failed efforts to get a coronavirus relief bill through the Senate. The House passed a $3.4 trillion measure dubbed the Heroes Act in May and a revised $2.2 trillion version of that bill in October, but neither effort got any traction in the upper chamber, with McConnell expressing derision of them. Silicon Valley's representatives were hoping for a far more extensive relief package than is now under discussion. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont), Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) all supported the Heroes Act. Khanna said on Twitter this week that he was disappointed with the current proposal. "We will get checks for the American people," he wrote on Dec. 17. "But let's have the honesty and decency not to spin this package as a kind of victory or negotiation success. People have the right to expect more." Lofgren previously told San José Spotlight providing relief for local and state governments was crucial. States are facing significant budget deficits, she said, because their revenue streams have disappeared. "If we don't provide some help, there's going to be massive layoffs from state and local governments and among schools, adding to the unemployment problem," she said. Unemployment is soaring along with COVID-19 cases As politicians battle over the final details, the need for assistance is growing as COVID-19 cases have soared, unemployment remains high, and as California and other states have reimposed lockdown and other measures to try to contain the outbreak. In California, the Employment Development Department alerted roughly three million residents this week that their federal unemployment benefits will end Dec. 26 unless Congress takes action to extend them. "The EDD is sending emails, text messages and mailed notices to ensure claimants are aware of the expiring benefits, what EDD is doing to minimize impacts and other resources available to assist during this difficult time," the agency said in a statement. The number of claims for various unemployment benefits in the first week of December hit 341,813. That tally was up a whopping 600% from the same time last year. While many Californians are struggling with unemployment, others are battling for their lives. The pandemic is surging throughout the state, including in Santa Clara County. As of Dec.17, the seven-day rolling average of new coronavirus cases was 1,136, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. That's the highest it's ever been in the county. By comparison, throughout September and October, the seven-day rolling average of new cases hovered in the 100s. The county's cumulative COVID-19 death toll, as of Dec. 17, was 566. The spike in COVID-19 cases statewide, coupled with a critical shortage of intensive care unit beds, recently prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to enact new restrictions and shutdowns. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) said Dec. 18 she supported the governor's actions. The congresswoman promised struggling residents that help was on the way. "I understand the emotional, physical and often financial toll that these measures take on Californians," she said. "Congress is finally on the cusp of passing additional federal COVID-19 relief that will make it easier for businesses and workers to obey public health orders." Coronavirus deaths in the United States surpassed 300,000 earlier this month. Contact Katie King at [email protected] or follow @KatieKingCST on Twitter.