Here's what's in the GOP's 'skinny' stimulus bill -- and what's missing

9/8/20
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled a trimmed-down stimulus bill Tuesday, more than a month after negotiations over the next economic aid package stalled in Congress. The so-called "skinny" bill includes a $300 federal boost for unemployment benefits and fresh relief for small businesses, but cuts out money for a second round of stimulus checks that were included in an earlier GOP proposal. It also doesn't offer new funding for cash-strapped states, which Democrats support. The legislation could face a procedural vote as soon as Thursday, but has little chance of ever becoming law. There are still several Republicans threatening to vote against the new proposal and it's unlikely to gain any support from Democrats -- who are unified behind a much larger $3 trillion stimulus package that passed the House in May. Republicans also put forth a $1 trillion stimulus bill in July, but it never came to a vote. The GOP skinny bill would offer federal unemployment benefits of $300 through the week ending December 27, half of what Congress included in its March coronavirus relief package. Would allow some small businesses to apply for a second loan from the Paycheck Protection Program. That would be limited to those with fewer than 300 employees that have seen a drop of at least 35% of their revenue during the first or second quarter of 2020. Would provide $105 billion in education funds, about two-thirds of which would be reserved for schools that reopen for in-person instruction. Would forgive a $10 billion loan to the US Postal Service under the March CARES Act, the more than $2 trillion relief package passed earlier this year. The USPS would have to meet certain criteria to have the loan forgiven.

Would provide protections for employers against liability in any coronavirus-related lawsuits brought by workers. Does not include money for a second round of direct stimulus checks to Americans. Would not provide additional assistance to state and local governments, even though they have been pressing lawmakers for months to send them more money to avoid massive spending cuts and layoffs.

Click to expand...

Rogue Valley said:

Here's what's in the GOP's 'skinny' stimulus bill -- and what's missing

This is how the GOP takes care of millions of Americans and the 50 states suffering from the coronavirus pandemic's economic effects.

For schools to receive any coronavirus funding, students have to be there IN PERSON despite COVID ravaging many school districts that are then forced to utilize remote learning.

The GOP sure took care of their campaign donor companies though by protecting them from all coronavirus liability lawsuits.

Click to expand...