McConnell Announces COVID-19 Relief Agreement: “More Help Is On The Way”

Contact Your Elected Officials

‘There will be another major rescue package for the American people. As our citizens continue battling the coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be fighting alone.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding COVID-19 relief:

“For the information of all Senators, and for the information of the American people, we can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a long time:

“More help is on the way.

“Moments ago, in consultation with our committees, the four leaders in the Senate and the House finalized an agreement.

“There will be another major rescue package for the American people. As our citizens continue battling the coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be fighting alone.

“We’ve agreed to a package of nearly $900 billion. It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long.

“For workers at the hardest-hit small businesses, there will be a targeted second draw of the Paycheck Protection Program. We have not worked so hard to save as many jobs as possible, all these months, only to fumble the ball with vaccinations already underway.

“Speaking of vaccines, we can’t nullify the success of Operation Warp Speed by falling asleep at the switch on distribution. So this agreement will provide huge sums for the logistics that will get these life-saving shots to our citizens as fast as possible.

“Of course, many millions of Americans have lost their jobs — and are continuing to lose them — through no fault of their own. This package will renew and extend a number of the additional important federal unemployment benefits that have helped families stay afloat. 

“Across all kinds of families, in all kinds of situations, this has been a difficult time across the board. So, at the particular request and emphasis of President Trump and his Administration, our agreement will provide another round of direct impact payments to help households make ends meet and continue our economic recovery.

“We all know this crisis has tested our healthcare providers. This legislation will continue to fund the front lines.

“But the crisis in American education has been staggering as well. So this package will supply billions and billions of dollars to help get kids back in school and do so safely. 

“These are just some of the key components. There are many more. 

“And importantly, we’re going to supply this emergency aid in a way that is smart and responsible. We will be repurposing more than $560 billion in money that was already set aside by the CARES Act — but not spent — toward these urgent needs. 

“And we’ll be appropriately paring back some of the most expansive powers that Congress temporarily gave unelected officials to stabilize the financial system back in the springtime.

“And I want to particularly thank Senator Toomey, for his extraordinary contribution to that effort.

“At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed.

“Now we need to promptly finalize text, avoid any last-minute obstacles, and cooperate to move this legislation through both chambers.

***

“So this is good news. But I need to close with one observation that is regrettable.

“From where I stand, from where Senate Republicans stand, there is no reason why this urgent package could not have been signed into law multiple months ago.

“For months, Senate Republicans have consistently supported a targeted rescue package, under $1 trillion, focused on the same kinds of policies that we have settled on today.

“As far back as July, and all autumn, Republicans have consistently supported a targeted package right in the ballpark of this total amount, with the same kinds of policies in the mix.

“The package that will shortly become law falls exactly within the ballpark of what Senate Republicans have been proposing and trying to pass since last summer.

“Compare the shape of this major agreement with the shape of what I proposed all the way back in late July. Yes, some fine details are different.

“There is no doubt this new agreement contains input from our Democratic colleagues. It is bipartisan. But these matters could have been settled long ago.

“So why did it take all this time? We know why. We have heard Democrats say openly that they were not willing to deal all summer and fall, but are willing now, because they now have a President-elect of their own political party.

“That’s not my accusation — that’s their admission.

“So, look, I’m glad we’ve gotten this done. My Democratic colleagues and I have had good discussions this past week. Both parties have a lot to be proud of.

“But I really regret that some on the Democratic side decided that partisan presidential politics were more important than getting urgent and noncontroversial relief out the door much, much sooner — to families who have needed this help badly.

“The progress of this past week could have happened in July, or in August, or in September, or in October.

“Senate Republicans were advocating for a package just like this one, all along, in real time. 

“I just wish our partners on the other side had put political calculations aside and worked with us to make this happen a long time ago.

***

“With that said, I appreciate the earnest conversations of this past week. I want to thank the Democratic Leader, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy, as well as Secretary Mnuchin. Both sides, in both chambers, have worked hard to get this done. 

“We will be moving forward with both historic pandemic relief and full-year funding legislation for the federal government. And I hope we can do so as promptly as possible.”

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

The Sacred Honor of the 56

Today we're celebrating the sacred honor of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Alligator Alcatraz: A Bold Step Toward Secure Borders

Alligator Alcatraz funded through FEMA, represents a decisive move by the Trump admin to address illegal immigration with efficiency and resolve.

Is America Broke?

Silicon Valley investor and economic commentator Balaji Srinivasan made...

Hungary: Pride™ Cometh Before the Color Revolution

The EU engaged in a diplomatic siege of the Eastern European nation-state of Hungary pressuring it into embrace global trannyism or face wrath of Brussels.

Understanding the Trump/Musk Feud

The passion Trump and Musk exhibit over the OBBB is not contrived or for show. Each is addressing the problem from completely different approaches.

Noem Waives Environmental Restrictions to Fast-Track Water Barriers in Rio Grande

DHS Sec Kristi Noem waived federal environmental laws to fast-track construction of 17 miles of waterborne barriers in the Rio Grande in South Texas.

Federal Officials Warn of ‘Lone Wolf’ Terror Threats on July 4, NY Governor Says

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed that federal officials informed her about a possible terrorist threat ahead of the July 4 Independence Day holiday.

Record 1 in 5 Buyers of New Cars Committing to $1,000-Plus Monthly Payments: Edmunds

The share of new car buyers committing to make monthly payments of $1,000 or more hit an “all-time high” in the second quarter of 2025.

US Economy Adds 147,000 New Jobs, Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent in June

The U.S. job market remained strong in June, as labor conditions continued to hold up amid economic uncertainty.

US Keeps Pressure on Chinese Goods Amid Vietnam Trade Deal

Transshipping—rerouting goods through a third country to disguise the origin of the products—is a focal point of trade negotiations with Asian markets.

White House Report Reveals Top Earners, Staffers Working for No Salary

The Trump admin released its yearly report that shows the salaries for White House staffers, also revealing officials who aren’t accepting salaries at all.

Transportation Secretary Urges Governors to Remove Political Messages From Crosswalks, Intersections

Duffy sent letters to governors, mayor of D.C., and gov of Puerto Rico urging them to remove political messaging from intersections and crosswalks.

Bessent: US, India Near Agreement to Lower Tariffs

The United States and India are “very close” to a trade agreement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday.
spot_img

Related Articles