Signs of a Senate COVID-19 Package Emerge

On the heels of House passage of the HEROES Act, attention has turned squarely toward the Senate, where the fate of a future COVID-19 package now lies.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been consistent in his reluctance to advance another large relief package. Nevertheless, members of his party, and particularly those in a vulnerable position ahead of the November election, started to show fissures in the party’s position. Last week, a series of bipartisan initiatives emerged.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) joined Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce a bill that would provide half a trillion dollars to bolster state budgets. Among the other cosponsors of the bill were Republican Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS). Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) spoke out against the Senate adjourning for Memorial Day recess with additional assistance for COVID-19 still unresolved. Finally, Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin, who has been acting as the lead White House negotiator with Congress, said there is “a strong likelihood” additional aid is needed.

As CARES Act provisions begin to sunset in the coming weeks, state revenue hits catastrophic lows, and data indicates that large numbers of Americans are fearful of returning to work or no longer having jobs to return to, the Senate will be under increased pressure to act.