More than 2.9 million vaccines have been allocated to states, CDC says
On a conference call on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested that votes on final passage of a stimulus deal could slip into the weekend, and he prepared his members to be ready for that possibility.
If votes do extend into the weekend, it’s possible there could be a temporary government shutdown until final passage of a bill since government funding runs out Friday night.
Congress may have to pass a short-term stop-gap measure to prevent that from happening, but they are planning on tying a second Covid-19 relief package to the funding bill.
McConnell walked his members through the outlines of the deal, indicating that direct payments would likely be included in the final proposal. He indicated that President Trump has been strongly advocating for direct checks.
The struggle to get the stimulus package done also looms over the Georgia Senate runoff races that will determine which party controls the chamber next Congress. During the call with GOP senators, McConnell noted that direct payments for individuals and families have become a major issue in the race.
“Kelly and David are getting hammered” on the issue, he said, according to a source who heard his remarks.
