Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Dems Unveil $2.2 Trillion Relief Plan, Including Stimulus Checks
The Washington Post: Economic Relief Talks Between White House, Pelosi Suddenly Resume As House Democrats Make New Offer
The White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) resumed discussions over a possible economic relief bill as Democrats offered a $2.2 trillion package and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin immediately engaged in talks. Pelosi and Mnuchin spoke Monday evening and agreed to talk again Tuesday morning, according to Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill. (Werner, 9/28)
USA Today: Democrats Intro $2.2 Trillion Bill With More Stimulus Checks
House Democrats unveiled a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill in a longshot push to break the impasse on relief negotiations before the election, though the bill is likely to face opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate if it passes the House. Many of the benefits previously approved by Congress ran out earlier this year, leaving millions of Americans waiting for urgently-needed aid. The $600 federal benefit to unemployment benefits ran out in July, a loan forgiveness program for small businesses expired, and airlines warned of mass layoffs as support for the industry expired. (Wu, 9/28)
Reuters: Pelosi Says Democrats Unveil New COVID-19 Aid Bill
In a letter to Democratic lawmakers released by Pelosi’s office, she said the legislation “includes new funding needed to avert catastrophe for schools, small businesses, restaurants, performance spaces, airline workers and others.” “Democrats are making good on our promise to compromise with this updated bill,” she said. “We have been able to make critical additions and reduce the cost of the bill by shortening the time covered for now.” (9/28)
In related news from the airline industry —
The Hill: Airline Industry Applauds Democrats For Including Aid In Coronavirus Relief Package
The airline industry applauded House Democrats for providing relief for the devastated sector in their $2.2 trillion coronavirus package unveiled on Monday, but stressed the urgent need for the bill to pass Congress. Under the terms of the CARES Act relief funding that passed this spring, airlines are prohibited from firing or laying off any employees until Oct. 1. Once that deadline passes, airlines are expected to lay off tens of thousands of employees. (Gangitano, 9/28)
The Washington Post: United Airline Pilots Ratify Deal To Prevent Furloughs
United Airlines pilots on Monday approved a deal that will allow 2,800 of them to avoid being furloughed should Congress fail to extend a payroll support program created as part of the Cares Act. The deal will enable United to reduce the number of employees it will furlough come Thursday without Congress’ help to less than 12,000, according to the airline. United, which employs 79,000 people, received $5 billion in the first coronavirus relief package, which President Trump signed into law in March. (Aratani, 9/28)
