As the Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer, there is still no agreement on another stimulus bill.
However, soon after the holiday, Senate Republicans are hoping to bring to a vote what is being referred to as a “skinny stimulus” package, according to a new report.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) told PBS NewsHouse the chamber hopes to rapidly vote on the bill next week.
“That’s the idea,” Barrasso, a close ally of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, told the outlet.
While the White House has indicated that it would go forth on a $1.3 trillion relief bill, this “skinny” bill would be worth less, between $500 billion and $700 billion, The Hill reports.
The proposal would provide assistance to colleges and schools, a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses, assistance for unemployed workers, expanded COVID-19 testing and child care assistance.
However, the package would likely not include a second stimulus check to Americans.
According to a source who spoke to The Hill, the measure comes at a moment of concern in the GOP among vulnerable Republican officials in tight re-election races.
“The GOP leader told fellow Senate Republicans during a conference call Tuesday morning with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows that senators in tough races want to vote on a rescue package ASAP,” The Hill reported.
Last Friday, the White House came up from its proposed $1 trillion package to $1.3 trillion.
House Democrats had previously come down to $2.2 trillion, from their original $3.4 trillion proposal in May.
While the new offer brought Democrats and Republicans closer than ever — with a $900 billion gap between proposals — the prospect of another major stimulus package including direct payments to Americans is still uncertain.
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