Congress scrambles to finalize Covid relief, avoid shutdown as deadline draws near
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks during a news conference after the Republicans’ weekly senate luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., December 8, 2020.
Sarah Silbiger | Reuters
Congress tried to put the finishing touches on a coronavirus relief deal Thursday as Washington drew closer to letting the government shut down and allowing millions to lose unemployment benefits.
Leaders on Capitol Hill say they have come close to an agreement on sending $900 billion in aid to Americans. Lawmakers have run short on time to pass a government funding and pandemic rescue package before federal funding lapses at 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday.
Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said a “bipartisan, bicameral agreement appears to be close at hand.” He noted it was “highly likely” Congress would work through the weekend, …continued .
[Source: CNBC News]