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Report progress on COVID aid package

Top Republicans in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday worked to keep the price of the delayed coronavirus pandemic aid package under control, trying to prevail in a dispute over aid for state and local governments, while limiting the cost of unemployment benefits and direct payments that Democrats seek.

Negotiations on COVID-19 aid intensified on Tuesday after months of stalemate. The top four leaders of Congress met twice in hopes of finally reaching an agreement that would revive subsidies for businesses that have been affected by the pandemic, help distribute coronavirus vaccines, fund schools and would renew unemployment benefits that expire soon.

After two meetings in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in which Democrats pushed for more generous measures to help individuals struggling with the havoc COVID-19 has caused the economy, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy gave an optimistic assessment.

“I think we’ve built a lot of confidence,” McCarthy said. “I think we are going in the right direction. I think there is a possibility that we will ”

The increased activity could be seen as an indication that they are close to finalizing a deal, although negotiations on COVID-19 aid have been particularly challenging.

“We are making great progress and I am optimistic that we will be able to complete an agreement soon,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The pressure to reach an agreement is high. Unemployment benefits expire on December 26 for more than 10 million people, many businesses can barely survive nine months after the pandemic, and money is needed to distribute new vaccines that finally offer hope that the country will return to normal. .

McConnell is playing a big role in the session and is pushing Democrats to drop a $ 160 billion aid package for state and local governments. Several high-ranking Democrats, including allies of President-elect Joe Biden, have said they would give in and fight for aid next year.

The Republican leader said he would set aside a demand for provisions that protect businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits, a key priority, if Democrats agree to abandon the $ 160 billion aid package.

“We can live to fight another day what we don’t agree on,” McConnell said Tuesday, “but we must move forward with what we can agree on.”

Pelosi has insisted for months that aid to state and local governments would be included in any proposal, but as time runs out, Democrats appear unwilling to withhold the rest of the package for that requirement.

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