A bipartisan group, composed of top economists, business leaders, and policy experts, urged Congress to pass an economic stimulus package before the end of the year.

The 36 bipartisan experts wrote their appeal in a letter that was published on Thursday. The experts cited the recent peak of the COVID-19 cases across the county and how it impacted the American economy.

The Aspen Institute's Economic Strategy Group said people and businesses are desperately needing a new stimulus package. The group noted that the nation's officials should pass another round of federal aid programs.

"At the same time, the administration should act aggressively to deploy the unspent resources it already has to combat the virus and support businesses. Our country and economy cannot wait until 2021," the group said in a Business Insider report.

The group also listed some economic-relief measures that should be included in the next stimulus package. These are federal aid to unemployed individuals, enhanced benefits to families in need of help buying food, and measures to protect renters from possible eviction brought by the pandemic.

The group also mentioned the need for financial support of state and local governments and small businesses.

The letter signatories include Henry Paulson, Melissa Kearney, and Douglas Holtz-Eakin. All are economists and had served different past presidents as economic advisors.

Jason Furman, a top economic advisor to former President Barrack Obama, has also signed in the letter. 

Related story: GOP Proposed New Stimulus Package. Who Will Be Included?

The letter was written as Congress remains deadlocked on another COVID-19 relief package.

Stimulus Package Gap

Republicans and Democrats have tried to meet each other's differences on the next relief package but to no avail. There are currently no negotiations happening.

Democrats seek another stimulus package with a huge price tag of $3.4 trillion. This package includes $1,200 direct payments, $600 federal unemployment benefits, and coronavirus-test funds. 

Republicans, on the other hand, are eyeing a much smaller COVID-19 relief aid of $500 billion, which mostly contains funds for small-business assistance, education, and public health systems.

President Donald Trump has decided to take a back seat in lame-duck legislative matters. This allows Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to take the lead on COVID-19 relief negotiations. 

Related story: Next Stimulus Package Should Not Include Enhanced Unemployment Benefits, WH Economic Adviser Says

Meanwhile, the White House and Congress must pass a dozen spending bills to fund most government agencies by Dec. 11 to avoid a government shutdown.

However, talks are still ongoing as both parties try to meet differences over public-health funding and childcare, among other issues.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden earlier called on Congress to come together and pass a stimulus package as many pandemic aid programs are set to run out next month.

Republicans may push for a smaller package with Pfizer's announcement early this month, saying its vaccine is 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 infections, according to a CBS News report. 

On Monday, Moderna said its COVID-19 vaccine is nearly 95 percent effective based on the preliminary data from the firm's ongoing study.

Some GOP lawmakers asserted that vaccine availability would boost hiring, incomes, and other economic growth measures, reducing the need for a massive stimulus bill.