The lawmakers were instrumental in getting negotiations moving forward a few weeks ago when they proposed $908 billion in coronavirus aid, slightly above the level Congress finally settled upon. A stopgap bill would not include coronavirus aid, however. Many Democrats say the $892 billion coronavirus aid package is not big enough to address the pandemic, and they have welcomed Trump’s call for larger stimulus checks. Republicans opposed larger direct payments during negotiations as they sought to limit the size of the coronavirus aid package. Biden has said a larger coronavirus aid package will be necessary to help fight the pandemic and assist those whose lives have been upended by it.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 25, 2020 02:03 UTC