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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 21 OctOber 2020
McConnell warns White House against COVID relief deal

By ANDREW TAYLOR every Republican agrees,"
Associated Press Trump said Tuesday on Fox
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen- News. "But they will."
ate Majority Leader Mitch But Republicans have
McConnell on Tuesday told spent months talking about
fellow Republicans that a smaller aid package and
he has warned the White the top GOP vote-counter,
House not to divide Repub- Sen. John Thune, said Mon-
licans by sealing a lopsided day that "it would be hard"
pre-election COVID-19 re- to find the necessary Re-
lief deal with House Speak- publican support for pas-
er Nancy Pelosi — even as sage of any agreement in
he publicly said he'd slate that range.
any such agreement for a McConnell, meanwhile, is
vote. pushing ahead with votes
McConnell made his re- this week on GOP measures
marks during a private that stand little chance of
lunch with fellow Repub- advancing. On Tuesday,
licans on Tuesday, three the GOP-held chamber will
people familiar with his re- go on record in favor of an-
marks said, requesting ano- other round of payroll sub-
nymity because the session sidies for businesses such as
was private. restaurants and hotels that
The Kentucky Republican In this May 22, 2020, file photo the Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible through heavy fog are having particular diffi-
appears worried that an in Washington. Associated Press culty during the pandemic.
agreement between Pe- But while the vote would
losi and Treasury Secretary The contours of a poten- they remain at odds over to exchange their best pro- put the Senate on record
Steven Mnuchin would tial deal are taking shape refundable tax credits for posals on a host of unre- as supportive of the idea,
drive a wedge between behind the scenes even as the working poor and fami- solved issues, not to close it's not aimed at advanc-
Republicans, forcing them President Donald Trump's lies with children, the size of out all of their disagree- ing the measure through
to choose whether to sup- GOP allies are recoiling at a Democratic-sought aid ments or have final legisla- time-consuming procedur-
port a Pelosi-blessed deal the administration's toler- package for state and lo- tive language at hand. al steps that could interfere
with Trump that would ance for a $2 trillion pack- cal governments, and a li- "Let's see where we are," with a floor schedule domi-
violate conservative posi- age. ability shield for businesses Pelosi said Tuesday. "We nated by the nomination of
tions they've stuck with for McConnell said if such a and other organizations all want to get an agree- Amy Coney Barrett to the
months. bill passed the Democrat- against lawsuits over their ment." Supreme Court.
Many Republicans say they ic-controlled House with COVID preparations. Aides familiar with the talks On Wednesday, Trump's
can't vote for another huge Trump's blessing "we would The Pelosi-Mnuchin talks say the price tag for a po- GOP allies in the Senate
Pelosi-brokered agree- put it on the floor of the also involve pandemic job- tential Pelosi-Mnuchin deal are slated to support a
ment. Senate." Those public re- less aid, a second round is inching close to $2 trillion. revote on a virus proposal
McConnell's move damp- marks came after the pri- of $1,200 direct payments, Senate Republicans are re- with a net cost of about
ens even further any po- vate session with fellow Re- and money for schools, coiling at both the size of $500 billion, though it does
tential for an agreement publicans. testing and vaccines. the measure and Pelosi's not include the $1,200 di-
and comes as Pelosi and Pelosi and Mnuchin spoke Pelosi had said Tuesday demands, even as Trump rect payments that are so
Mnuchin have arrived at a again Tuesday amid signs was a deadline day, but is beating the drums for an important to Trump. But the
critical phase of their talks that they are continuing clarified in an interview with agreement. Senate GOP bill has failed
if any relief is going to be to narrow their differences. Bloomberg News that the "I want to do it even bigger once before, and Trump
enacted by Election Day. Pelosi said Tuesday that aim is to spur the two sides than the Democrats. Not himself says it's too puny.q
CDC: ‘Strong recommendation’ but no rule for masks on planes

By The Associated Press un- and continues to lead to -- The new guidance issued
defined interstate and international Monday includes more
The government's top pub- spread of the virus," the specific advice for travelers
lic health agency is raising CDC said in a statement. than CDC has previously
the importance of wear- "Local transmission can given. The agency said it
ing face masks on planes, grow quickly into interstate was offering the new rec-
trains and buses, although and international transmis- ommendations to support
the Trump administration sion when infected persons state and local health of-
has resisted making masks travel on public convey- ficials and transportation
mandatory for travelers. ances without wearing a operators who have im-
The Centers for Disease mask and with others who posed their own mask rules.
Control and Prevention is- are not wearing masks." Travelers are often in close
sued new interim guidelines The CDC said its advice on contact with others peo-
for travelers, including a masks should be followed ple, sometimes for several
"strong recommendation" by passengers and work- hours, raising the risk of
to wear face coverings ers on planes, ferries, trains, contracting or spreading In this Oct. 15, 2020, file photo, passenger Cari Driggs, right, from
to slow the spread of CO- subways, buses, taxis and the virus that causes COV- Provo, Utah, waits to board a United Airlines flight to Hawaii for
VID-19. ride-sharing vehicles, in- ID-19. Masks are necessary vacation at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco.
"Transmission of the virus cluding in airports and at because travelers might Associated Press
through travel has led to -- subway and bus stations. not be able to keep six feet apart from others on planes and buses, CDC said.q