Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
At Last, A COVID Stimulus Bill From Congress
The Hill: Congress Clinches Sweeping Deal On Coronavirus Relief, Government Funding
Congressional leaders on Sunday reached a mammoth deal to fund the government and provide long-sought coronavirus relief as lawmakers race to wrap up their work for the year. The deal will tie a $1.4 trillion bill to fund the government until Oct. 1 to roughly $900 billion in coronavirus aid. In order to give Congress time to process and pass the agreement, the House and Senate passed a one-day stopgap bill on Sunday. (Carney, 12/20)
Politico: Congress Strikes Stimulus Deal After Days Of Frantic Talks
Congressional leaders on Sunday clinched a Covid stimulus deal after days of hard-fought negotiations — but Americans will have to wait at least a little longer to get much needed relief. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Sunday evening that negotiators had finalized a $900 billion coronavirus aid package, after breaking a multi-day stalemate over the Federal Reserve’s lending powers. (Everett, Desiderio, Zanona and Caygle, 12/20)
The Wall Street Journal: Congress Reaches Final Agreement On Pandemic Relief
“This agreement is far from perfect, but it will deliver emergency relief to a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said on the Senate floor. The legislation is set to add $300 to weekly unemployment payments for 11 weeks and extend two other unemployment programs until they begin phasing out in mid-March and end in early April. Those two programs expand the pool of people eligible for unemployment benefits and extend their duration. (Duehren and Peterson, 12/21)
The Hill: Negotiators Resolve Last-Minute Issues As COVID-Relief Bill Moves Toward Finish Line
“At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough that the country has needed. Now we need to probably finalize text and avoid any last-minute obstacles and cooperate to move this legislation through both chambers,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on the Senate floor. (Bolton and Jagoda, 12/20)
The New York Times: Congress Strikes Long-Sought Stimulus Deal To Provide $900 Billion In Aid
While Mr. Trump’s signature will be on the law, its effect will be far more significant for President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., who faces the task of shepherding the shaky economic recovery. Mr. Biden, who quietly pushed for lawmakers to strike a compromise that would deliver at least some modest help after months of congressional inaction, is expected to seek yet another major economic relief package after taking office in January. “I am heartened to see members of Congress heed that message, reach across the aisle, and work together,” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “But this action in the lame-duck session is just the beginning. Our work is far from over.” (Cochrane, 12/20)
