A new round of coronavirus stimulus could be on the way.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers have held early discussions about a new round of potential coronavirus stimulus spending, especially with the omicron variant surging through the United States, according to The Washington Post.
- The relief would specifically help businesses such as “restaurants, performance venues, gyms and even minor league sports teams” that could face a trouble from another wave of COVID-19, The Washington Post reports.
- The spending would be a mix of new spending and repurposing of previous unused spending.
- It’s unclear if the new round of spending would include stimulus checks to the American people.
The White House said it is in constant communication with lawmakers about a new round of stimulus, per Reuters.
- However, the White House said the economy appears to be strong enough to handle the omicron wave.
Sens. Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland, and Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, are leading the charge on the talks, hoping to help restaurants in needs, per Business Insider.
- “We started with restaurants but we’re prepared to expand it if we can have the necessary support,” Cardin said Wednesday. “There’s other industries that have legitimate concerns.”
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Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer, of North Dakota, told Insider that he is open to a package that helps restaurants, too.
- “I would be open to reasonable discussions in a bipartisan way,” Cramer said.