As the Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer, there is still no agreement on another stimulus bill.
However, soon after the holiday, Senate Republicans are hoping to bring to a vote what is being referred to as a "skinny stimulus" package, according to a new report.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) told PBS NewsHouse the chamber hopes to rapidly vote on the bill next week.
COVID RELIEF: @SenJohnBarrasso just told me Senate GOP hopes to move to their "skinny" plan for COVID relief next week. "That's the goal."Said Republican senators have their next conf. call this am with the WH (Meadows, Mnuchin) at 10 a.m.Told by others issues remain.
— Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) September 1, 2020
While the White House has indicated that it would go forth on a $1.3 trillion relief bill, this "skinny" bill would be worth less, between $500 billion and $700 billion, The Hill reports.
The proposal would provide assistance to colleges and schools, a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses, assistance for unemployed workers, expanded COVID-19 testing and child care assistance.
However, the package would likely not include a second stimulus check to Americans.
According to a source who spoke to The Hill, the measure comes at a moment of concern in the GOP among vulnerable Republican officials in tight re-election races.
"The GOP leader told fellow Senate Republicans during a conference call Tuesday morning with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows that senators in tough races want to vote on a rescue package ASAP," The Hill reported.
Last Friday, the White House came up from its proposed $1 trillion package to $1.3 trillion.
House Democrats had previously come down to $2.2 trillion, from their original $3.4 trillion proposal in May.
While the new offer brought Democrats and Republicans closer than ever — with a $900 billion gap between proposals — the prospect of another major stimulus package including direct payments to Americans is still uncertain.
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