10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Leaders continue working on coronavirus package; Manchin, McKinley pushing relief

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Congressional leaders on Wednesday continued work on a coronavirus relief proposal, with Democrats and Republicans agreeing to include another round of stimulus payments.

The Washington Post and POLITICO first reported the $900 billion proposal will include checks worth up to $700. The plan will not have funding for local, state and tribal governments or limited liability protections for businesses, which are topics of disagreement between parties.

A bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators earlier this week unveiled the text of a $908 billion coronavirus relief package consisting of two bills; the proposal would have dedicated $748 billion for providing economic assistance to individuals and businesses, including funding for additional Paycheck Protection Program loans. The measure also included funding for live venues, food programs, health care initiatives, and coronavirus vaccine development and distribution.

Most of the framework’s funding — $506 billion — was utilized CARES Act money. Congress passed the first coronavirus relief measure in March.

Sen. Joe Manchin was part of the legislative group that drafted the bipartisan framework, which he said put Congress closer to reaching a final deal and provided leaders the foundation for a plan.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. (Office of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin)

“We put this together. It’s in legislative language. It’s ready to go,” he told reporters.

Work on the bipartisan package began after the election; according to Manchin, he and Maine Republican Susan Collins started reaching out to colleagues about drafting another coronavirus relief measure. The plan gained support from Republicans and Democrats, as well as the House of Representatives Problems Solvers Caucus.

The announcement of the bipartisan framework happened because Republican and Democratic leaders struggled to agree on coronavirus legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pitched a $500 billion proposal of “targeted relief” as Democratic leaders pushed a $2.2 trillion plan.

“We started basically looking at what emergencies were going to expire at the end of December, and started working backwards,” Manchin said. “What we’re talking about is truly, what I would say, the lifelines.”

The bipartisan proposal would have continued pandemic unemployment insurance benefits for 16 weeks, in which people would receive an additional $300 per week. The plan also extended the federal eviction moratorium through next month.

Manchin and other lawmakers have noted the bipartisan framework was designed to get the country through March 2021.

The bipartisan framework also dedicated $160 billion for supporting local, state and tribal governments. The funding included limited liability protections for businesses following public health guidelines. Manchin supported the protections in contrast to his Democrat colleagues.

“They were opposed to that, and Republicans were opposed to any state or local support or help,” he said. “That became an impasse, and that was dropped off. This is what’s picked up.”

The $160 billion measure also moved the deadline for states to spend coronavirus relief funding from Dec. 30, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021. According to the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office, the state government has $765 million remaining of the $1.25 billion received earlier this year.

Manchin stated the extension is expected to remain in the final measure.

“We want to make sure the communities — which are the municipalities and the counties — are getting help. We want to make sure that they are getting some help,” he said. “They got very little money in a lot of the states. They should have been able to have more so they could help themselves in so many different areas.”

Leaders are instead opting to include stimulus payments in the relief package; Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters the checks would be between $600 and $700. Americans earlier this year received payments of up to $1,200 depending on one’s adjusted gross income.

U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va. (File)

The addition of checks followed a push by lawmakers from both parties for new payments. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., last week introduced a bill to provide Americans with $1,000 payments. Individuals making at least $75,000 and joint filers making $150,000 or more would receive a smaller amount.

“These families are hurting going into Christmas,” McKinley told MetroNews. “Let’s get them some hope. They may not get the check before Christmas, but let’s get it. Let’s let them know it’s coming.”

McKinley credited former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang for starting discussions. Yang — who campaigned on establishing a universal basic income of $1,000 a month — pushed for more payments, with McKinley and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., using their legislative experience to attract multiple cosponsors.

“Never has there been a direct payment incentive like this — a bipartisan effort — in Congress ever,” McKinley said. “To me, it was just the right thing to do. We did it through the CARES package earlier. People are still struggling, and there’s going to be a package someday. Why aren’t we doing it?”

McKinley also told MetroNews that Yang is assisting lawmakers with drafting another proposal.

Yang on Wednesday thanked lawmakers for their work in securing relief payments.

“I am so pumped that stimulus checks will be part of this package – millions are hurting and this will help!” he tweeted. “Thank you everyone who helped make this happen – $120 billion+ for the people!”

McKinley said the final measure should include relief for entertainment venues in small communities, including Minor League Baseball clubs affected by the cancellation of the 2020 season and league reorganization. He added such financial support is unlikely.

“We should be able to help them out,” he said. “They still have payments they have to make. They’ve still got debts and operations.”

Lawmakers are trying to pass a coronavirus relief measure before the end of the week. Congress will also have to approve an omnibus spending package by Friday to avert a government shutdown.





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