Topline
Senate Democrats and Republicans on Monday struck a deal on a $10 billion coronavirus response package covering Covid-19 therapeutics, antivirals, tests, vaccines and research projects just days ahead of a two-week recess, although some House Democrats may object to the package’s exclusion of global vaccine aid.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) talks to reporters
Key Facts
The $10 billion deal includes $5 billion for the federal government to buy Covid-19 therapeutics, $4.75 billion allotted to a broader range of purchases like Covid-19 tests and vaccines, as well as $750 million for coronavirus vaccine and treatment research projects, according to Bloomberg.
The package will be paid for with repurposed funding from earlier coronavirus bills, Bloomberg and other outlets reported.
The deal does not include any money to aid global vaccination efforts, as some Democratic lawmakers and the Biden Administration had urged.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in particular pressed negotiators to include $1 billion for global vaccine efforts, but lawmakers were unable to come to a consensus on how to pay for those funds, Politico reported, citing unnamed sources.
Schumer told Bloomberg although the Senate could not reach an agreement on the global funds, many Democrats and Republicans were “committed to pursuing a second supplemental later this spring,” adding that the U.S. is “the country other nations look to lead global vaccination efforts.”
Lawmakers managed to strike a deal just days before they are set to leave for a two-week recess starting April 9.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday the Biden Administration is “grateful” for the Senate’s work on the plan and urged Congress to move quickly to pass it.
Big Number
$22.5 billion. That’s how much the White House had originally requested in March for emergency Covid-19 funding, to cover testing, vaccines and treatments as well as global vaccination work. The White House will “continue to work with Congress to fund our remaining domestic needs,” Psaki said.
Key Background
The deal comes a month after an earlier $15.6 billion version— which allocated $5 billion to the U.S. Agency for International Development to send Covid-19 supplies internationally— fell apart in the House. President Joe Biden in recent weeks has urged Congress to approve additional money to bolster efforts to fight the pandemic, as federal funding for Covid-19 tests and treatments begins to run out. Some countries in Europe and Asia have seen a spike in coronavirus cases as the highly transmissible BA.2 omicron subvariant has become the dominant strain worldwide, and some experts say the U.S. could see an increase in infections as well. Money for global vaccination efforts has been a key sticking point in negotiations for another round of Covid-19 aid, with Senate Democrats pressing for the money, while GOP lawmakers proposed stripping the $5.6 billion in funds. The U.S. must continue its work to vaccinate the world “both because it is the right thing to do,” and because it is critical to “reducing the risk of new variants,” Psaki said Monday.
What To Watch For
If the bill encounters problems in the House. Some Democratic members have already threatened not to support the legislation if it does not include global aid. Senate and House leaders may attempt to hold votes on the package by the end of the week, before they leave for recess, according to Bloomberg.
Further Reading
Lawmakers agree on $10 billion in covid funds, but drop global aid from deal (Washington Post)
President Biden Pressures Congress for Emergency Covid Funds (New York Times)
Senate strikes $10B Covid deal (Politico)
Senate Reaches Deal on Covid Funding That Leaves Out Global Aid (Bloomberg)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/04/04/senate-reaches-a-deal-on-10-billion-pandemic-response-package-heres-whats-in-it/