Mitch McConnell has said that Congress is getting closer to a COVID-19 economic relief bill.

Congressional leaders were close to completing a deal on COVID-19 relief which is expected to include a second round of stimulus checks.

Congressional leaders were close to completing a deal on COVID-19 relief which is expected to include a second round of stimulus checks.Congressional negotiators have been closing in on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package to deliver additional help for businesses. The deal would be the first significant legislative response to the pandemic since the landmark CARES Act in March 2020, which delivered $1.8 trillion in aid and more generous jobless benefits and direct payments to individuals.

The package under discussion, along with direct checks, is expected to include $300 a week in enhanced unemployment insurance, funding for schools, small businesses, vaccine distribution, healthcare providers, rental assistance, and other relief measures. At under $900 billion, its size marked a compromise between the two parties’ stances. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “We’re still talking, and I think we’re going to get there.”

According to lawmakers, the aid package under discussion on December 16 was expected to exclude the two issues: funding for state and local governments and liability protections for businesses and other entities operating during the pandemic. But congressional leaders are expected to add a second round of smaller direct checks than the previous one, which provided $1,200 to individuals and $500 per dependent earlier this year. Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) told reporters that he expected the checks would be in the $600 to $700 range per individual.

On December 16, an announcement was expected but failed to materialize as lawmakers across the spectrum struck out details of the spread-out legislation and top negotiators continued to trade offers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.