U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut believes Congress needs to move faster on another COVID-19 stimulus package now that the election is over.
The House of Representatives passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package in October, but it’s still in the Senate as Democrats and Republicans negotiate the details. Blumenthal told reporters on Monday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should fast-track the bill.
“We can do the next pandemic relief program literally by the end of this week," Blumenthal said. "We could vote on Thursday if Mitch McConnell puts it on the floor of the Senate.”
The package is expected to contain money for frontline workers, loans for businesses and another round of $1,200 direct payments.
The head of Connecticut’s Council of Municipalities told reporters the next COVID-19 stimulus package should include more relief for cities and towns. Director Joe DeLong said the package should also allow cities and towns to use aid to replace lost revenues.
“Because of the lost revenues, towns and cities are going to face massive increases to their property taxes. That’s one choice that they could make to try to fill in these gaps," DeLong said. "If that happens, that is going to significantly stifle our ability to recover from this pandemic.”
McConnell said last week the package is his top priority after the election, and could be ready by the end of the year.
