Lawmakers debate another stimulus package

Transcript

As financial conditions continue to deteriorate for millions around the country, a new battle over another round of stimulus funding is just getting started.

Thursday marked one of the worst snapshots of the labor market in modern US history.

More than 3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, pushing the unemployment rate to 14% in April.

That’s the highest since the US began releasing the data in 1948.

And as Americans deal with the financial strain, lawmakers are debating another relief package.

Democrats say they want more money to go to state and local governments.

But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says that such funding should be contingent on passing liability reform to protect employers from lawsuits after the pandemic calms.

Republicans and Democrats agree that additional stimulus funding is critical to stabilizing the nation.

But what neither side can say is when that aid will appear.

The Senate heads back to Washington next week.

The House likely won’t return until the bill is ready for vote.

As former Vice President Joe Biden is preparing to take on President Trump in the battle for the White House, Biden finds himself in another battle.

Posted – 5.1.20