The top Republican in the US Senate declared that compromise was “within reach” on a bipartisan Covid relief package, boosting hopes that Washington may finally agree a follow-up stimulus package in the final weeks of the Trump administration.
Speaking on the chamber floor on Thursday morning, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said it was “heartening to see a few hopeful signs in the past few days” and that there was “movement in the right direction”.
He said there was “strong bipartisan support” for several policies including another “targeted” round of the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides relief for small businesses, and funding for vaccine distribution, as well as the extension of certain unemployment relief programmes and a clearer legal framework for university reopenings.
“Compromise is within reach. We know where we agree,” Mr McConnell said. “We can do this. We need to do this.”
Asked whether he would support a deal…