McConnell schedules votes Tuesday, Wednesday on bills sans coronavirus stimulus checks

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Two parallel efforts are being made to come up with the next stimulus package. One from Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the other from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. While Pelosi-Mnuchin are still to agree on a package, McConnell, on Saturday, informed that the Senate will vote on smaller coronavirus relief bills, which won’t include stimulus checks, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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McConnell scheduled to vote on two bills without coronavirus stimulus checks

On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on a stand-alone Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which would provide aid to small businesses. On Wednesday, the Senate will vote on the same $500 billion bill, which was blocked by Democrats last month.

Talking about the bills, McConnell said it would include federal unemployment benefits, funding for PPP, funding for the coronavirus vaccine, funding for distribution of the vaccine and funding for testing and tracing. Further, the bill also includes $100 billion to "make schools safe for kids."

Both of these bills, even combined, are less than the latest proposals from the White House and Democrats. The latest offer from the White House is about $1.8 trillion, while House Democrats are asking for a $2.2 trillion package.

Similar to last time, the Senate vote is unlikely to result in anything substantial because the Democrats may not support it. Nevertheless, with the voting, McConnell probably hopes to put political pressure on Democrats.

Talking in favor of the standalone bills, McConnell said “Democrats do not even oppose” these measures. McConnell also blamed Pelosi for blocking “any aid whatsoever” unless Pelosi gets what she is asking for.

"Working families have already waited too long for Speaker Pelosi’s Marie Antoinette act to stop. Let's make law,” McConnell said in a tweet.

McConnell also said that if Democrats support the bill, the Senate would be able to pass the bills before they vote on the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

Mnuchin and Pelosi continue to negotiate

Even though McConnell has said that he won’t put a broader bill on the Senate floor, Mnuchin and Pelosi have continued negotiations. The two talked on Saturday over the phone, and will speak again on Monday.

Pelosi, on Saturday, gave the White House a 48-hour deadline to reach an agreement on the stimulus package so as to get it to pass before the November election. She is optimistic on reaching the deal, but said more work needs to be done. She said whether or not they come up with a relief package now depends on the White House.

Pelosi giving a 48-hour deadline and McConnell scheduling votes on the targeted relief bills are likely the final pushes to come up with the relief package before the November election. If there is no outcome on the relief package this week, then it is very likely that there won’t be any coronavirus relief package and stimulus checks this year.