Congress made a deal on $900 billion in Covid-19 relief, including a new round of direct payments and help for jobless Americans, families and businesses.
"More help is on the way," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said. "Moments ago, in consultation with our committees, the four leaders of the Senate and the House finalized an agreement."
The agreement includes stimulus checks of up to $600 per person for individuals earning $75,000 per year and $600 for their children, relief for the jobless, including an extension of unemployment insurance and a federal unemployment insurance bonus of $300 per week, over $284 billion more in loans for businesses struggling to pay rent and workers, $69 billion in testing and vaccine distribution funds and $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools.
The package excludes the Republican liability protection from Covid-19-related lawsuits for businesses, universities and health care centers.
The measure is an emergency bridge that President-elect Joe Biden and leaders of both parties can revisit in the new year.
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