Congress should pass a new economic-relief package this year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday, as prospects for Democrats’ multitrillion-dollar stimulus bill faded along with their chances for full control of the government, the Wall Street Journal reported. Lawmakers have been deadlocked for months over further aid, with Republicans insisting on liability protections for businesses and Democrats seeking aid for state and local governments. With the outcome of Tuesday’s elections still in doubt, McConnell (R-Ky.) signaled that he would try to move this year, with President Trump assured of still being in office for at least that time. “We need another rescue package,” McConnell said. “Hopefully the partisan passions that prevented us from doing another rescue package will subside with the election. We need to do it, and I think we need to do it before the end of the year. McConnell said he would support including more funding for schools, hospitals and a popular small-business loan program, but not a more sweeping proposal that Democrats have sought. He also noted that Congress will have to move to keep the government running before its current funding expires on Dec. 11. McConnell said that he and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) agreed to pass full-year spending bills in December.
