Senators agree to $10 billion COVID package

Senators have agreed to a slimmed-down $10 billion package for countering COVID-19, but without any funds to help nations abroad combat the pandemic, Democrats and Republicans familiar with the talks said Monday.

The compromise was swiftly supported by Joe Biden, who initially pushed for a $22.5 billion package. He settled for a compromise due to administration warnings that the government was running out of money to keep pace with the spread of Covid through the country.

“Every dollar we requested is essential and we will continue to work with Congress to get all of the funding we need,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “But time is of the essence. We urge Congress to move promptly on this $10 billion package because it can begin to fund the most immediate needs.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said the package will give the administration a critical injection of funds to maintain testing capacity and purchase treatments and vaccines.

“This $10 billion COVID package will give the federal government, and our citizens the tools we need to continue our economic recovery, keep schools open and keep American families safe,” said Schumer

The original plan included $5 billion to provide vaccines to countries where Covid is a serious concern, especially poorer ones.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who is the leader of the House Progressive Caucus, said erasing the global assistance from the package “is a big problem,” and said she and other supporters of helping other countries have voiced their objections to House leadership and Senate negotiators.

“It’s really shortsighted to not spend money on making sure this virus is contained around the world,” Jayapal, a Washington state Democrat who worked in global public health for a decade, told reporters.

Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the lead GOP bargainer, hailed the accord as one that would address “urgent COVID needs.” He also trumped the measure’s savings, which he said meant it “will not cost the American people a single additional dollar.”

Romney also suggested an openness to considering future money. “While this agreement does not include funding for the U.S. global vaccination program, I am willing to explore a fiscally responsible solution to support global efforts in the weeks ahead,” he went onto say.