Action Alert: Pared Down COVID-19 Relief Package Could Be Voted on After Labor Day
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is aiming to bring a COVID-19 relief bill to the Senate floor for a vote as soon as next week. The text of the potential relief bill has not been released, but the bill would likely target relief to schools, businesses, and unemployed Americans.
In August, McConnell released the HEALS Act, which would provide an additional $105 billion in education funding. However, much of that funding would be tied to the physical reopening of school buildings, and an unprecedentedly high amount of funding would be directed to private schools.
The education provisions of the HEALS Act could be a starting point for a new relief bill.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchen, who has been a key negotiator on recent bipartisan legislation on behalf of the White House, echoed the desire to move forward on a bill while testifying before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis on Tuesday. Mnuchen noted that there is bipartisan agreement on some policy issues, but the level of spending continues to be an area of disagreement.
With campaign season in full force, vulnerable Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are eager to pass a bill they could point to as proof of their work on behalf of their constituents.
Action Alert
CEC and roughly 7,500 members have articulated the need for emergency education funding this year, including targeted funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (DEA), without tying funding to school buildings reopening.
Please join us!
As Congress continues to negotiate a final COVID-19 response package, lawmakers need to hear from you. Please follow this link to our 1-step action alert to make your voice heard.