Democratic senator says Covid-19 stimulus deal could come ‘as early as tomorrow’

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Warner, who is part of a bipartisan group of senators trying to compromise on a stimulus bill, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” that they were close to a deal.

“I think we have the highest numbers. We are currently working on the language so that we can have – from tomorrow – a law,” he said.

Warner said it would be a four-month emergency relief program with a price tag of $ 908 billion. It remains uncertain whether Congress will vote on such a package as Republican and Democratic leaders negotiate the amount of a stimulus package to be included in a separate, massive funding bill to keep government open.

The Covid reief proposal, Warner said, “will provide targeted assistance to the unemployed; food insecure people; housing assistance; small businesses that have run out of funds (Paycheck Protection Program) and funds additional to minority companies that have been extraordinarily hit hard. “

“We’ve finally given extra help for broadband, which we all know is an academic necessity and extra dollars around vaccine delivery; aid to hospitals.

And despite the fact that neither Republicans nor Democrats get everything they want in the bill, Warner told Tapper he has “pretty high assurance” that there will be enough votes to go. support the adoption of the measure.

Lawmakers have been working in recent days to come up with a new stimulus package as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made it clear he would like to see a proposal on Monday, though talks have gone slowly over the weekend. end on the package and the spending bill to maintain. the government opened before funding ended on December 11, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Multiple issues still divide the two sides, but sources said two big issues remain unresolved on a back-up plan: liability protections for businesses, workers and others that Republicans want, and funding for people. state and local governments that Democrats demand.

Helpers familiar with the process previously told CNN that members are working around the clock and split into teams to craft specific sections of the bill.

So far, the stimulus proposal includes $ 300 a week in improved federal unemployment benefits, a continued hiatus on student loan payments, a moratorium on evictions, another round of P3s, $ 16 billion for the development and distribution of vaccines as well as screening and screening for coronaviruses, among other relief measures.

CNN’s Devan Cole and Manu Raju contributed to this report.

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