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December 15, 2020

Lawmakers Unveil Coronavirus Relief Package as 12 Million Face Loss of Jobless Benefits
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On Capitol Hill, a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a $908 billion
coronavirus relief package Monday, as unemployment benefits for millions
of U.S. workers are set to expire the day after Christmas.

One part of the legislation would provide about $750 billion for
schools, vaccine distribution and the Paycheck Protection Program
supporting small businesses. It would also boost unemployment benefits
by $300 per week - half of the $600-a-week increase in benefits that
Republicans allowed to expire over the summer.

A second bill would provide $160 billion in aid for hard-hit state and
local governments, while retroactively shielding corporations from
liability if their workers or customers become infected with the
coronavirus.

Even if Congress passes a relief bill, economists warn some 12 million
unemployed workers could see a lapse in benefits for several weeks after
Christmas.

This comes as Republican Senator Josh Hawley and Vermont independent
Senator Bernie Sanders are demanding a vote on their proposal to provide
$1,200 relief checks to working-class adults with an additional $500 per
child. 


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