Capitol Hill Update
The Senate is poised to take up another targeted pandemic relief bill when the chamber convenes for votes today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said last week. The forthcoming package is largely expected to mirror the previous Senate GOP “skinny relief” effort, including business liability provisions and allocating roughly $500 billion toward unemployment insurance, health care, education, and small businesses. Much like the previous attempt to clear this measure last month, it is expected that all Senate Democrats, and possibly a few Senate Republicans, will vote against a motion to consider the legislation. Meanwhile, broader relief talks between Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and White House officials remain at a standstill, as outlined in a recent “Dear Colleague” letter from the Speaker over the weekend.