Congress Stalemate on Covid Liability Adds to Doubts on Relief

  • Wrangling over bipartisan proposal means leaders must step in
  • Pelosi, other leaders say getting a deal is priority next week
Mitch McConnell at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 10.Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg
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The congressional impasse over how to shield employers from virus-related lawsuits in a U.S. pandemic-relief package deepened Friday as negotiations among a bipartisan group of lawmakers dragged on.

Lawmakers in both parties engaged in the talks say that they have completed detailed proposals on small business help, vaccine-distribution funding and other key areas but remain at loggerheads over the liability issue -- a top demand of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.