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Senators Edge Closer to Bipartisan Agreement on Economic Rescue Plan Senators Edge Closer to Bipartisan Agreement on Economic Rescue Plan
(2 months later)
WASHINGTON — Senators plan to work through the weekend hashing out a bipartisan deal on a sweeping $1 trillion economic stabilization package that could be enacted within days to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.WASHINGTON — Senators plan to work through the weekend hashing out a bipartisan deal on a sweeping $1 trillion economic stabilization package that could be enacted within days to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Democratic and Republican negotiators, who huddled with top administration officials throughout the day and into the evening Friday, said they had made significant progress on a number of issues. After nearly 12 hours, they fell short of the ambitious goal set by Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, who had pushed to strike a deal in principle by midnight Friday.Democratic and Republican negotiators, who huddled with top administration officials throughout the day and into the evening Friday, said they had made significant progress on a number of issues. After nearly 12 hours, they fell short of the ambitious goal set by Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, who had pushed to strike a deal in principle by midnight Friday.
Mr. McConnell has begun clearing procedural hurdles on the Senate floor in order to vote on the Senate package on Monday, leaving senators and President Trump’s top economic advisers until Saturday afternoon to draft legislative text, said Eric Ueland, the White House director of legislative affairs.Mr. McConnell has begun clearing procedural hurdles on the Senate floor in order to vote on the Senate package on Monday, leaving senators and President Trump’s top economic advisers until Saturday afternoon to draft legislative text, said Eric Ueland, the White House director of legislative affairs.
Senators will reconvene Saturday morning, negotiators said. Mr. Ueland said that there was “a lot of near consensus” on how to provide aid to industries seeking relief from the effects of the pandemic, how to assist small businesses, how to bolster health care facilities and how to send direct aid to the American people.Senators will reconvene Saturday morning, negotiators said. Mr. Ueland said that there was “a lot of near consensus” on how to provide aid to industries seeking relief from the effects of the pandemic, how to assist small businesses, how to bolster health care facilities and how to send direct aid to the American people.
“There are just a number of balls still in the air,” said Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, as he left Friday evening, adding that both sides “have some issues that are important priorities, and it takes some time to check.”“There are just a number of balls still in the air,” said Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, as he left Friday evening, adding that both sides “have some issues that are important priorities, and it takes some time to check.”
Democratic and Republican negotiators also seemed close to an agreement on Friday evening on providing expanded unemployment benefits for workers affected by the coronavirus — one of the major sticking points in the legislation — including those who are self-employed and people whose hours have been reduced as large parts of the economy shut down to slow the spread.Democratic and Republican negotiators also seemed close to an agreement on Friday evening on providing expanded unemployment benefits for workers affected by the coronavirus — one of the major sticking points in the legislation — including those who are self-employed and people whose hours have been reduced as large parts of the economy shut down to slow the spread.
Democrats were prepared to drop their opposition to several large corporate tax cuts as part of the compromise. And Republicans were ready to agree to a direct payment that would apply equally to workers with incomes up to $75,000 per year before phasing out and ending altogether for those earning more than $99,000. The two sides were also working to reach an agreement on a proposal to allocate stabilization funds for states.Democrats were prepared to drop their opposition to several large corporate tax cuts as part of the compromise. And Republicans were ready to agree to a direct payment that would apply equally to workers with incomes up to $75,000 per year before phasing out and ending altogether for those earning more than $99,000. The two sides were also working to reach an agreement on a proposal to allocate stabilization funds for states.
While there is widespread agreement on the need for the package, Republicans and Democrats began negotiations on Friday divided over the details of how to structure an unprecedented government rescue package. Negotiators were debating which Americans should receive direct payments from the government and how they should receive them, how much paid leave employers should have to cover for workers and what form of assistance to provide to small and large businesses.While there is widespread agreement on the need for the package, Republicans and Democrats began negotiations on Friday divided over the details of how to structure an unprecedented government rescue package. Negotiators were debating which Americans should receive direct payments from the government and how they should receive them, how much paid leave employers should have to cover for workers and what form of assistance to provide to small and large businesses.
“Senator McConnell’s bill is not pro-worker at all — it puts corporations ahead of people,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said early in the day. “Democrats have a good plan that puts people and workers first.”“Senator McConnell’s bill is not pro-worker at all — it puts corporations ahead of people,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said early in the day. “Democrats have a good plan that puts people and workers first.”
But as the talks unfolded — both in a marathon set of meetings on Capitol Hill and in a series of telephone calls between the White House and congressional leaders — all sides appeared optimistic about reaching a swift agreement in the face of extraordinary circumstances.But as the talks unfolded — both in a marathon set of meetings on Capitol Hill and in a series of telephone calls between the White House and congressional leaders — all sides appeared optimistic about reaching a swift agreement in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
“The nation’s needs and expectations are perfectly clear,” Mr. McConnell said. “Workers, families, small businesses and the foundations of our economy itself need swift action and in the Senate, swift means bipartisan.”“The nation’s needs and expectations are perfectly clear,” Mr. McConnell said. “Workers, families, small businesses and the foundations of our economy itself need swift action and in the Senate, swift means bipartisan.”
As negotiations continued into the evening, Mr. Schumer told reporters, “I think tonight is hard.”As negotiations continued into the evening, Mr. Schumer told reporters, “I think tonight is hard.”
Cementing the deal will require both Republicans and Democrats to smooth out divides among themselves over how to deliver aid to families and businesses quickly and fairly. Lawmakers, emerging briefly from the negotiations throughout the day, acknowledged that the pressure to act under remarkable circumstances would help ease the sting of policy disagreements and a price tag that could eclipse the $1 trillion proposed by the administration.Cementing the deal will require both Republicans and Democrats to smooth out divides among themselves over how to deliver aid to families and businesses quickly and fairly. Lawmakers, emerging briefly from the negotiations throughout the day, acknowledged that the pressure to act under remarkable circumstances would help ease the sting of policy disagreements and a price tag that could eclipse the $1 trillion proposed by the administration.
Mr. McConnell introduced a bill on Thursday that would send checks of up to $1,200 to taxpayers who earn up to $99,000; deliver large corporate tax cuts; and put into place loans for businesses and industries. It would also curb an emergency paid leave program enacted this week. But elements of that package are facing opposition from Democrats — and even some Republicans.Mr. McConnell introduced a bill on Thursday that would send checks of up to $1,200 to taxpayers who earn up to $99,000; deliver large corporate tax cuts; and put into place loans for businesses and industries. It would also curb an emergency paid leave program enacted this week. But elements of that package are facing opposition from Democrats — and even some Republicans.
Mr. Schumer spoke twice by phone with Mr. Trump on Friday to discuss the details of the package, including an idea Senate Democrats were calling a “Marshall Plan” to send substantial federal funds to hospitals, particularly small and rural institutions, increasing unemployment insurance and expanding paid leave.Mr. Schumer spoke twice by phone with Mr. Trump on Friday to discuss the details of the package, including an idea Senate Democrats were calling a “Marshall Plan” to send substantial federal funds to hospitals, particularly small and rural institutions, increasing unemployment insurance and expanding paid leave.
At the White House shortly after the calls, Mr. Trump appeared optimistic about the prospects for a quick agreement, saying, “We’re not so far away, we’re not very far away.”At the White House shortly after the calls, Mr. Trump appeared optimistic about the prospects for a quick agreement, saying, “We’re not so far away, we’re not very far away.”
The president, speaking at a news conference, also endorsed the idea of preventing companies that use government aid from buying back shares, saying he discussed the limitations with Mr. Schumer.The president, speaking at a news conference, also endorsed the idea of preventing companies that use government aid from buying back shares, saying he discussed the limitations with Mr. Schumer.
“I don’t want some executive saying we’re going to buy 200,000 shares of stock,” Mr. Trump said. “I want that money to be used for the workers and also for the company to keep the company going.”“I don’t want some executive saying we’re going to buy 200,000 shares of stock,” Mr. Trump said. “I want that money to be used for the workers and also for the company to keep the company going.”
On Capitol Hill, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Schumer met with more than a dozen top Democratic and Republican senators as well as administration officials, led by Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, and Larry Kudlow, the top White House economic adviser. In a cavernous hearing room across from the Capitol, they sat at long tables several feet apart from one another, in line with public health guidelines that advise social distancing to curb the spread of the coronavirus. At least one negotiator, Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, went a step further and joined the meeting by phone.On Capitol Hill, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Schumer met with more than a dozen top Democratic and Republican senators as well as administration officials, led by Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, and Larry Kudlow, the top White House economic adviser. In a cavernous hearing room across from the Capitol, they sat at long tables several feet apart from one another, in line with public health guidelines that advise social distancing to curb the spread of the coronavirus. At least one negotiator, Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, went a step further and joined the meeting by phone.
Afterward, the senators divided into smaller bipartisan groups to hash out disagreements over specific subjects with administration officials present.Afterward, the senators divided into smaller bipartisan groups to hash out disagreements over specific subjects with administration officials present.
“They’re making progress, but there’s so much to do,” Mr. Schumer told reporters on Friday evening, adding, “There’s still some significant outstanding issues, very significant to our side, that they haven’t agreed to.”“They’re making progress, but there’s so much to do,” Mr. Schumer told reporters on Friday evening, adding, “There’s still some significant outstanding issues, very significant to our side, that they haven’t agreed to.”
Mr. Kudlow, asked to assess how negotiations were progressing, said, “The children are playing well with each other.”Mr. Kudlow, asked to assess how negotiations were progressing, said, “The children are playing well with each other.”
Any legislation would need to win the approval of Democrats in both chambers to be signed into law. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California was keeping close tabs on the discussions by phone from San Francisco, speaking with Mr. Mnuchin and Mr. Schumer both individually and as a group. The trio spoke for a second time on Friday evening.Any legislation would need to win the approval of Democrats in both chambers to be signed into law. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California was keeping close tabs on the discussions by phone from San Francisco, speaking with Mr. Mnuchin and Mr. Schumer both individually and as a group. The trio spoke for a second time on Friday evening.
Members of the House remain scattered across the country in their districts, on a recess that is likely to last at least until they take up the economic relief package. But Ms. Pelosi instructed House committee staff members to weigh in through Mr. Schumer’s aides on key provisions that Democrats want to see included in the final legislation, according to a senior Democratic aide.Members of the House remain scattered across the country in their districts, on a recess that is likely to last at least until they take up the economic relief package. But Ms. Pelosi instructed House committee staff members to weigh in through Mr. Schumer’s aides on key provisions that Democrats want to see included in the final legislation, according to a senior Democratic aide.
“We are going to have to flex some muscles that may have atrophied,” Mr. Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor. “We are going to have to cooperate in ways that we may not be accustomed to.”“We are going to have to flex some muscles that may have atrophied,” Mr. Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor. “We are going to have to cooperate in ways that we may not be accustomed to.”
The package under discussion on Friday would be the third round of emergency aid Congress has considered this month to confront the coronavirus crisis. Lawmakers first approved $8.3 billion in emergency funding for government health agencies and then completed a second measure to provide paid leave, jobless aid and food and health care assistance. Mr. Trump has signed both bills into law.The package under discussion on Friday would be the third round of emergency aid Congress has considered this month to confront the coronavirus crisis. Lawmakers first approved $8.3 billion in emergency funding for government health agencies and then completed a second measure to provide paid leave, jobless aid and food and health care assistance. Mr. Trump has signed both bills into law.
Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The Republicans’ proposal would offer bridge loans of up to $10 million each to small businesses, extend hundreds of billions of dollars in loans to large corporations in distressed industries and send checks as large as $1,200 per adult to individuals earning less than $99,000 a year. Their proposal would phase in the payments for earners up to $75,000 — meaning lower earners would get smaller checks — and then phase out again at $99,000.The Republicans’ proposal would offer bridge loans of up to $10 million each to small businesses, extend hundreds of billions of dollars in loans to large corporations in distressed industries and send checks as large as $1,200 per adult to individuals earning less than $99,000 a year. Their proposal would phase in the payments for earners up to $75,000 — meaning lower earners would get smaller checks — and then phase out again at $99,000.
But the emerging compromise would send the same amount to anyone earning up to $75,000, reducing the payment as income rose and eliminating it entirely for those earning more than $99,000.But the emerging compromise would send the same amount to anyone earning up to $75,000, reducing the payment as income rose and eliminating it entirely for those earning more than $99,000.
Under the Republican bill, those who did not earn enough to pay income tax would receive much less, $600, but those limits were likely to shift as well, with lawmakers in both parties fighting to expand the benefit. Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, moved on Friday to try to alter the bill so that low-income individuals and families would get the full benefit.Under the Republican bill, those who did not earn enough to pay income tax would receive much less, $600, but those limits were likely to shift as well, with lawmakers in both parties fighting to expand the benefit. Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, moved on Friday to try to alter the bill so that low-income individuals and families would get the full benefit.
Republicans are particularly divided over the direct payment program, with some, including Mr. Hawley, saying it should be targeted toward getting the most money to the lowest earners — not the other way around. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and a close ally of Mr. Trump’s, is pushing to distribute the money through unemployment insurance, an idea he has shared with the White House.Republicans are particularly divided over the direct payment program, with some, including Mr. Hawley, saying it should be targeted toward getting the most money to the lowest earners — not the other way around. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and a close ally of Mr. Trump’s, is pushing to distribute the money through unemployment insurance, an idea he has shared with the White House.
Some top Democrats also want to use unemployment insurance as the mechanism for providing direct aid, said Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee and one of the senators involved in the talks.Some top Democrats also want to use unemployment insurance as the mechanism for providing direct aid, said Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee and one of the senators involved in the talks.
Republicans had resisted a Democratic proposal to establish a state stabilization fund to address revenue shortfalls, according to a senior Democratic aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose continuing discussions.Republicans had resisted a Democratic proposal to establish a state stabilization fund to address revenue shortfalls, according to a senior Democratic aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose continuing discussions.
Democrats were vehemently opposed to a provision in the Republicans’ bill that would curtail a paid leave program signed into law this week as part of the second emergency coronavirus relief package.Democrats were vehemently opposed to a provision in the Republicans’ bill that would curtail a paid leave program signed into law this week as part of the second emergency coronavirus relief package.
Lawmakers were racing to complete the package as pressure builds for them to close the Capitol and leave Washington after two members of the House tested positive for Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. House leaders have reluctantly begun to consider the possibility of instituting remote voting, to adhere to federal guidelines to avoid travel and congregating in large groups.Lawmakers were racing to complete the package as pressure builds for them to close the Capitol and leave Washington after two members of the House tested positive for Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. House leaders have reluctantly begun to consider the possibility of instituting remote voting, to adhere to federal guidelines to avoid travel and congregating in large groups.
But lawmakers in both chambers have acknowledged that the huge economic stabilization measure — which they are calling Phase 3 — is unlikely to be the last legislation Congress must consider to respond to the pandemic.But lawmakers in both chambers have acknowledged that the huge economic stabilization measure — which they are calling Phase 3 — is unlikely to be the last legislation Congress must consider to respond to the pandemic.
Catie Edmondson contributed reporting.Catie Edmondson contributed reporting.