Bipartisan group unveils two-part $908 billion coronavirus package

By Jordain Carney @ TheHill.com- 12/14/20 04:56 PM EST

A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday unveiled its $908 billion coronavirus relief package as Congress faces a time crunch to pass more aid.  

The proposal is split into two parts: One $748 billion piece includes another round of Paycheck Protection Program assistance for small businesses, an unemployment benefit, and more money for schools, vaccine distribution and other widely agreed-upon items. 

The second $160 billion piece ties together the two most controversial elements of the coronavirus negotiations: more money for state and local governments and protections for businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. 

"I think we've had a Christmas miracle occur in Washington," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). "These bills are not only bipartisan products; they are bicameral as well. My hope is that our hard work will spur our leadership on both sides." 

The text of the two bills comes after the group announced two weeks ago that it had reached an agreement on a framework for a $908 billion proposal. 

But the group, after announcing the framework, still had daily closed-door and Zoom meetings as it has tried to work out what to do about more money for states and liability protections. The first is a top priority for Democrats, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has long pointed to legal protections as his "red line." [....]