U.S. Congress Set to Vote on $900 Billion Relief Package, but Fights Linger

The U.S. House and Senate will vote on Monday on a $900 billion pandemic relief package alongside a $1.4 trillion measure for government funding, reports Bloomberg. The relief and funding end days of intense negotiations amidst possible rifts with the Fed.

• On Sunday, the House and Senate passed a one-day continuing resolution to keep the government open through Monday at midnight, the third move in recent weeks.
• The Democratic head of the House Financial Services Committee said Congress would revisit a portion of the pandemic relief bill dealing with the Fed’s emergency lending if the party gains control of the Senate.
• Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday that $600 stimulus checks could start going out to the Americans as soon as next week.
• The Democrats said more aid is needed for the economy despite both parties having agreed on many of their priorities in the relief package bill.
• Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he expects a “more robust” bill after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.
• Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has threatened to veto a defense bill this week because it would start renaming military bases after Confederates.
• Trump’s threats come as Virginia lawmakers announced on Monday a statue of Confederate leader Robert E. Lee has been removed from the U.S. Capitol since it is a symbol of racist and divisive history.

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