By getting Congress to pass and the president to sign another short-term continuing resolution (CR) last night, negotiators bought themselves an extra two days to see if they could reach a deal on a COVID relief package. Under last night’s CR, they now have the weekend to come up with something.
Read more about the situation in Politico here and the Washington Post here.
So, even with the intensified negotiations over the past several days on the next COVID relief package, it appears very unlikely that the different sides will reach an agreement before the clock strikes midnight tonight. Even the various sides were to get to an acceptable compromise, it would take time to turn that into legislative text. This means that another continuing resolution (CR) will be needed to prevent a shutdown. The House is currently voting on a two-day CR, which would extend funding through Sunday.
While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has committed to keeping the chamber in session until a final COVID package is passed, it remains to be seen how long that will actually take.
With the clock ticking, and although Congressional and White House negotiators are talking, there is still no deal on a next round of COVID relief. As the result of a one-week continuing resolution, those involved in the discussions bought themselves an extra week, until Midnight Saturday, to come to an agreement. It appears that a number of sticking points remain.
The Congressional leadership and the White House are seeking to attach the legislation to the $1.4-trillion FY2021 omnibus appropriations package that has been agreed to separately. It is very possible that another short-term funding measure may be needed.
The Senate and House have now both passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (H.R.7105). The legislation provides assistance to veterans during the COVID-19 crisis and also includes provisions from the Protect GI Bill making certain changes to education benefits. Specifically, a new dual certification process, risk-based surveys, and monthly reporting for schools would be implemented. Although changes would aim to reduce overpayment risks, colleges would assume liability for such overpayments. Public colleges would also have to provide in-state tuition rates to all GI Bill students.
Now the bill will go to President Trump to be signed into law.
The full text of the bill is available here.
Earlier this afternoon, the Senate approved by voice vote a one-week continuing resolution (CR), which, if signed by the President, would keep the government funded through next Friday. The current CR expires at midnight tonight.
The extension is designed to buy some more time for negotiators to come an agreement on the FY2021 spending package and possibly on another COVID relief bill. The extra week also gives Congress time to potentially vote to override a promised-veto on next year’s defense authorization legislation.