Congress Passes Relief That’s Mostly Gas

COVID-19 Package Seen As Short Of Necessary Aid

The United States Congress Dec. 20 reached a bipartisan deal of $900 billion in COVID-19 relief that is already under attack as far less than what is necessary to aid Americans during what is developing as one of the nation’s darkest hours since the Great Depression of the last century.

According to national news sources, the $900 billion relief deal will include $300 per week in jobless benefits, direct payments of $600 for individuals, $284 billion for small business loans, more than 30 billion for vaccine distribution.

But the deal is already being criticized as one that allows Republican lawmakers to simply suggest that they got something done for Americans before Christmas and ahead of the Georgia Senate runoff election in January.

It is being suggested that Congress will come together again once the Biden administration is in place to revisit a more significant aid package for Americans in the first quarter of 2021.

“There will be another major rescue package for the American people,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, according to CNN.com.

But for now, Democrats and some analysts say that the $600 check that many citizens will receive is far less than a needed for working families struggling to make ends meet in the face of a surging pandemic and loss of income. Further, many are concerned that no funding has been allocated to cities and states in the agreement.

President Trump is expected to sign the measure as soon as it reaches his desk.