‘More Help Is on the Way’: Congress Agrees on $900 Billion Relief Package

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Sunday evening on the Senate floor that lawmakers have finalized an agreement on a coronavirus relief bill to be voted on later today by both House and Senate. Lawmakers also passed a bill to avoid a government shutdown at midnight Sunday.

“We can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a very long time: More help is on the way,” McConnell said.

While the plan is roughly half the size of the $2.2 trillion stimulus law enacted in March, it is one of the largest relief packages in modern history, The New York Times reported.

“As our citizens continue battling this coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be fighting alone,” McConnell said in his statement, which also explained the terms of the bill. Congressional leaders said the bill would establish temporary $300 per week supplemental unemployment benefits and $600 direct stimulus payments to most Americans, per Fox News.

Also included in the bill will be additional subsidies for businesses affected by the pandemic and money for health care providers, schools and renters facing eviction.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tweeted out his support Sunday evening:

By this time tomorrow another round of help for #smallbiz jobs including restaurants, live venues & small local chambers should finally be on the way. pic.twitter.com/2wb4eBH5hZ

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 21, 2020

Special Assistant to the President Ben Williamson said in a statement, “President Trump has pushed hard for months to send Americans badly needed financial relief. We look forward to Congress sending a bill to his desk imminently for signature.” {eoa}