WASHINGTON–Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) indicated he believes Senate Republicans will begin considering proposals for a "fourth and final" economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus pandemic in about a month.
In contrast to three earlier coronavirus relief packages, including the $2-trillion CARES Act, McConnell said during an interview any new bill will be much more narrow and will focus in particular on jobs and schools. Instead, any funding will target small businesses and healthcare, and McConnell expressed opposition to any extension of an additional $600 per week in federal unemployment benefits, which is set to run out at the end of July.
"Unemployment insurance is extremely important, but it is not designed to encourage you to stay home; it is designed to get you through a trough until you can get back to work," McConnell told the New York Times. "I think you can certainly assume we will not be paying people a bonus for staying home in another bill."
Speaking at an event while at home in Kentucky, McConnell said Congress needs more time to assess the needs of the country before voting on another costly aid package.
The Pause Button
"We need to push the pause button here and think through the next step and do it very carefully," McConnell was quoted as saying. "We do have the potential long-term health of the country with this level of massive debt."
McConnell has expressed strong support for proposals to include liability protections for businesses, individuals, nonprofits and schools. Congressional Republicans have said they need to protect people from the threat of litigation who are doing their best to comply with regulations related to COVID-19.