The Christmas holiday is just days away and like the rest of America members of Congress are looking forward to relaxing at home, spending time with loved ones, and exchanging gifts.
But just because it’s the most magical time of year doesn’t mean that the country is still stuck in a cloud of fear not knowing when our elected officials will agree to provide a much-needed second round of stimulus for Americans who’ve been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing unemployment numbers.
So Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is putting his foot down and going after the only thing these politicians really care about, their vacation.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the Senate will not leave Washington for the holidays until a coronavirus aid package is passed, saying he supports waiting until next year to tackle the most divisive issues to reach a deal.
Lawmakers are trying to hammer out an agreement by Friday, when Congress hits the deadline to pass legislation to keep the government funded. Leaders from both parties hope to attach the Covid-19 aid package to the government funding bill.
“We’re not leaving, I assure you. We’re not leaving until we finish this package,” McConnell, R-Ky., promised.
McConnell said he supported dropping the “two most contentious items for the moment” — liability protections for business that remain open during the pandemic and funding for state and local governments — which have stalled negotiations and prevented Congress from passing any meaningful Covid-19 legislation since March.
Without a stimulus package, things could get even worse in the coming weeks.
Not only is the entire economy counting on a big consumer boost from Christmas shopping, but a nationwide ban on evictions is set to expire at the end of December.