Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is not sure a fifth coronavirus relief package will come to fruition as lawmakers’ negotiations stall at a difficult impasse.
On Monday, McConnell appeared at an event in his home state of Kentucky where he briefly discussed the impending bill. McConnell admitted that the bill is a necessity but could only hope the impasse “will end soon,” according to The Hill.
“We do need another bill and I’m hoping that this impasse will end soon. …[But] I can’t tell you yet here today whether there’s going to be additional relief for health care providers,” McConnell said.
Although Republican and Democratic lawmakers have both brought proposed bills to the table, they have been unable to reach a bipartisan agreement. In fact, there has also been inter-party division on coronavirus spending which has also contributed to difficulty reaching a deal.
“I’m hoping what we’re talking about today is not that last tranche that we will make, but as of the moment, today, I can’t tell you with certainty we’re going to reach an agreement,” he said.
McConnell’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny from his Democratic colleagues. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been quite vocal about her disapproval of Republicans’ stance on the stalled bill.
While Republican leaders are standing by $1 trillion they have proposed in the HEALS Act, Democratic leaders are still proposing the $3 trillion HEROES Act the House passed back in May.
During an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Pelosi blasted her Republican colleagues as she suggested they do not “give a damn,” as previously reported on IJR.
“Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn for what you just described,” Pelosi said to host Jim Cramer.
“See, the thing is, they don’t believe in governance,” Pelosi said, adding, “And that requires some acts of government to do that.”
As of Monday afternoon, Senate Republicans are not expected to return to Washington, D.C., until September.
