PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The latest COVID relief package has yet to come together in Washington. Even Republicans in the Senate can't agree on what should be in the package and what should be left out. And that's before negotiations start with Democrats in the House who favor a relief package perhaps two to three times as large. One of the items backed by Democrats is billions of dollars in relief for state and local governments. But Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Pat Toomey questions the need, saying much of what was already sent to Pennsylvania has yet to be allocated. "Much of it has been distributed, much of it has not yet," said Toomey. "There's over a billion dollars the governor has not yet allocated yet." Republicans and Democrats do agree on some items, including another round of stimulus checks directly to citizens, and funding for Caronavirus vaccines and testing. President Trump has backed off his earlier demand for a Social Security payroll tax cut. Democrats would also like to extend the pandemic jobless benefit that end next month. The extra $600 dollar a week payments to unemployed workers end July 24. Overall, Toomey says he wants accountability. "Where does this need to go? Is it well targeted? Is there accountability for the existing spending?"
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