US Congress rule on $900B COVID-19 aid bill major details

The second tranche of the COVID-19 aid package is just around the corner as US lawmakers haggled on Wednesday over its details. The relief package is expected to include $600-$700 stimulus checks as well as additional unemployment benefits.

However, major details in the coronavirus aid bill remain unsettled. One argument was over whether to increase reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to local governments for COVID-19-related expenditures, such as personal protective equipment for schools. According to Democrats, it would cost about $1 billion, but Republicans were doubtful.

Durbin said the lawmakers will sort things out on Wednesday and have the bill ready for voting starting on Thursday. However, the haggling went on until Wednesday evening. Steny Hoyer, Democratic leader of the House, said that if the approval of the COVID-19 relief is not sealed on its Friday deadline, he could see another provisional spending bill of three or four days’ duration to keep government agencies open while negotiations continue.