GOP Proposed New Stimulus Package. Who Will Be Included?
The Senate Republicans proposed a new stimulus package in hopes to boost the aid talks.
The new stimulus package includes jobless aid, liability protections for business and school funding among other measures.
"Today we're releasing a targeted proposal that focuses on several of the most urgent aspects of this crisis, the issues where bipartisanship should be especially possible," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) was quoted during his speech on the Senate floor Tuesday
McConnell added that they are going to get the stonewalling of Democratic leaders out from behind closed doors and put this vote out on the floor.
The proposal also includes legal aid for businesses and healthcare facilities; a $29 billion in healthcare funding; $105 billion for schools.
This also permits the U.S. Postal Service not to repay $10 billion loan set from the previous stimulus package.
A second round of the controversial Paycheck Protection Program for business will also be included, with a budget of $258 billion.
Business that have shown a revenue loss will be qualified for this program.
A $20 billion additional assistance for farmers, ranchers, and other producers will also be included.
Tax breaks for parents dealing with virtual learning will also be provided. With this, parents can use tax-advantaged 529 savings plans for expenses such as books, online materials, and licensed tutoring for students.
Parents who also do home school could use the money for educational expenses.
Nonprofit organizations that offer scholarships to private-school students would be provided with a two-year tax break for donations.
An additional $16 billion would fund coronavirus testing, contact tracing, and surveillance.
However, state and local government funding will not be included in GOP's plan for another set of stimulus package.
The stimulus package is expected to cost around $300 billion, after the $650 billion in new spending is offset with $350 in savings from unused funds from earlier packages.
The proposal for the new stimulus package is designed to ease the spending concerns of some GOP senators.
Meanwhile, McConnell said that Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) are stalling talks of new stimulus package for political reasons.
"Everything Speaker Pelosi and [Senate Minority] Leader Schumer have done suggests one simple motivation: They do not want American families to see any more bipartisan aid before the polls close on President Trump's reelection," McConnell was quoted in a statement.
He added that Pelosi and Schumer have taken Americans' health, jobs, and schools hostage for perceived partisan gain.
McConnel introduced the GOP stimulus package in July. However, he never brought to a vote due to Republican skepticism.
GOP lawmakers will cast their votes on Thursday when a procedural vote on the measure in held.
GOP aides said that changes made it more likely that at least 51 of the chamber's 53 Senate Republicans would support the bill.
Check these out:
Are You in the First Line of Receiving the Second Stimulus Check?
Student Debts Excluded From Second Round of Stimulus Package, Should Be Scrapped
Congress Sets to Return to Session Over Second Stimulus Check