McConnell Refuses to Back Bipartisan Stimulus, Slowing Talks

Almost a week after Democratic congressional leaders climbed down from their demand for a multi-trillion dollar stimulus package, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continued to tout his own plan, dimming prospects for a proposed bipartisan compromise as the basis for a deal.

McConnell’s top priority -- federal limits on Covid-19 related lawsuits against businesses -- has emerged as a key potential deal-breaker, along with state and local aid that Democrats want. Republicans have balked at the six-month moratorium on lawsuits proposed in a bipartisan stimulus package, saying it’s too limited.

The drafters of the $908 billion bipartisan proposal are planning to release a more detailed outline Tuesday afternoon but without provisions on liability and state and local aid, said Sam Runyon, a spokesman for Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, one of the lawmakers involved. Negotiations on those parts of the proposal are continuing.

McConnell’s continued use of rhetoric that pre-dates the shift by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on the overall dollar amount of aid underscored the risk of no further Covid-19 help by year-end.

“Drop the all-or nothing tactics,” McConnell said of Democrats on the Senate floor on Monday. He again called on Schumer to allow a vote on a targeted bill that provides extended unemployment insurance, small-business aid and funding for vaccine distribution.

Senators from both sides of the aisle concluded that the prospects for a compromise that Republican and Democratic negotiators are hashing out will come down to McConnell’s decision. Several GOP members have endorsed or been open to the plan, and top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said President Donald Trump would likely sign it. McConnell is engaging the negotiators even though he hasn’t budged.

“I’m optimistic we’re going to get somewhere,” McConnell told reporters Monday. “But I have no report at the moment about how.”

The Republican and Democratic negotiators continued to butt heads over aid for states and localities as well as the coronavirus liability protection for businesses.

“Those are coupled together,” said GOP Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who couldn’t predict whether the relief package will be enacted. “There’s either going to be none for both of those, or both of those that are going to be provided for. My hope is we’ll do both.”

Republicans have blasted state assistance as a bailout for mainly Democratic areas, while Democrats have refused to give employers a shield from lawsuits over poor protection against the spread of Covid-19.

“There are different ways of doing it, different approaches to it, but ultimately it’s going to have to satisfy Senator McConnell because it’s been one of his lead priorities since the beginning of this,” said Senator John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in that chamber.

Time is running ever shorter on getting a deal, with Congress approaching the year-end break. Democratic Senator Christopher Coons said on MSNBC Tuesday that while he remains optimistic, he sees a “real chance” that the Senate breaks up for Christmas without agreement on a relief package.

That relief spending would be attached to either a stopgap federal funding bill or omnibus appropriations legislation that keeps the government running into 2021, Thune said Monday.

The House will vote on a continuing resolution Wednesday to keep the federal government running for an additional week, before the existing stopgap runs out Friday night. McConnell said the Senate would approve that “whenever we get it” from the House.

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[augustineabram]

I don't think Congress should get a year-end break. They have had more breaks than any other worker servant this year and continuous bickering is now an option to not help the citizens of this nation. Do your jobs.

[annesand]

Like they said...There needs to be a term limit. If there was a term limit, this problem would be avoided because Mitch would’ve been switched.

[vmp]

honestly why does one man decide. this system is broken.

[jdan]

Kentucky, you elected this man to a seventh term. Never forget

[dianelazewski]

All we have to do is vote the 2 dem senators in in Georgia and Mitch has no power.

[joshuamartin]

Can we fire all our politicians yet?...

[TLM-Nathan]

There is over $1 trillion from the first stimulus left unspent. There were 153 million people eligible for stimulus checks. $1 trillion / 153 million = $6, 535. Just send everyone a $6000 check with the money that's already been allocated and it just sitting there unused.

[kalpierson]

Ya because Mitch McConnell does not truly wanna help people
I wounder why they would fight so hard to not help the people
Makes no sense

[harryhaller]

This clown thinks the Senate is his personal plaything. He needs to be booted out.

[bridesbiscuit]

Both sides have played good cop/bad cop, trading places several times over the past 9 months. It's all theater, they are both bad cops. Neither side will give the people anything because that goes against their donor's interests. Don't expect that will ever change.

[SK-nqeu]

Does Mitch really care about the survival of the 30-50 million people who are are unemployed and looking for food handout help to feed their families?
This dude has got to resign immediately. He is so far out of touch with what is really going on in our country.

[hottomlie]

I should not have to tell you this. It is your own responsibility to protect yourself. We all know we have to wear masks. No one else can do this for you.. Given enough rope, people will hang themselves. Why should only the business have this excessive financial liability? I work in a hospital and take care of covid patients. PPE goes fast and you never have enough. So everyone hoards it. Then you can't get it when you need it.

[mistery-ed]

Just in case you weren't already aware that Mitch is a jerk he's giving you one more chance to figure it out.

[bluesky]

I think some people really need the help during the pandemic, but too much help may be counter productive. I see more Christmas decorations I have not seen before in my neighborhood. I wouldn't spend money on non-essential items if I am squeezed financially. By the way, whenever too much easy money is available, a good portion of it is always wasted. Online shopping is booming. Doesn't sound like we are stressed financially. What's happening in Wall Street? Nobody is thinking about our national debts anymore.

[migodabbing]

If the democrats had the senate we would had already have another stimulus check

[antoniol.]

How the hell this this corrupt and selfish parasite get reelected?

[UP-thjk]

Screw "bipartisanship". In our countries current state (or the world) it's our way or the highway. Screw "bipartisanship"
It's all about the Church, my family and MY (conservatives) county. Screw "bipartisanship"

[willow]

Vote for Ossoff and Warnock in Georgia to flip the Senate to the Democrats and get rid of Moscow Mitch for good!

[cathydison]

If any of you, paid for by "we the people" ever had to worry about your paychecks, I believe that might help you to understand. For us, it'll be the third year in a row without Christmas! I've got a brand new grandbaby I can't even meet because of this China virus. Politicians are so disappointing and that's why Donald Trump was so refreshing.... he actually worked for us, imagine that?!?! Merry Christmas just the same. Celebrate the sweet baby Jesus' birth! 🙏❤️🙏

[somersetbassett]

McConnell may not be responsible, but when u call urself the Grim Reaper . . . .