[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Coronavirus

  Mr. McCONNELL. I think that all of our colleagues understand our 
present situation.
  Both sides of the aisle are firmly committed to finalizing another 
major pandemic rescue package for the American people. Constant 
discussions have been underway for several days now.
  As of right now, we have not yet reached a final agreement, 
regretfully. I believe all sides feel we are making good progress on a 
major relief bill that would travel with a full-year appropriations 
measure.
  But, alas, we are not there yet.
  Given that, our urgent task is to pass a stopgap government funding 
measure. There is no reason the Federal Government funding should lapse 
while we hammer out our remaining differences. We are going to take up 
the continuing resolution, which just passed the House a few minutes 
ago on an overwhelming bipartisan basis.
  I hope this body will pass it easily and get this measure on the 
President's desk so Congress can complete our negotiations with no 
pointless lapse in normal government operations.

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