Covid stimulus nears - Air pollution hazard - Federal abortion funding

The developing aid agreement would not include liability protections for businesses or aid to state and local government, CNBC confirmed. The measure would contain a direct payment to Americans in some amount, as well as enhanced federal unemployment insurance. The deal would have roughly $300 billion in small business aid including Paycheck Protection Program loans, money for Covid-19 vaccine distribution and testing and relief for hospitals.
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Congress faces a challenge in trying to write sweeping legislation and approve it before Friday. McConnell told Republicans they should prepare to work through the weekend, according to NBC. If lawmakers fail to act, the government will shut down on Saturday, 12 million people will lose unemployment benefits the day after Christmas and millions more could face the threat of eviction.
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Speaking after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said “we are close to an agreement” but noted “it’s not a done deal yet.” He added that Democrats “would like to have gone considerably further” to offer relief and will press for more aid after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.