Congress Is Still Willing to Let America Down

After a months-long stalemate that has left workers, families, small businesses and state and local governments at the mercy of an escalating pandemic, congressional leaders may be about to finalize a $900 billion Covid-19 relief package. Aid of any sort is welcome, of course, but if the current deal holds, few will receive all the help they need — and some won’t get any at all.

The package reportedly will include one-time payments of $600 to $700 for individuals and supplemental unemployment insurance for laid-off workers of $300 a week until the end of March. It appears to leave out broad aid to state and local governments (which Democrats wanted), as well as a Covid-19 liability shield for companies (which Republicans wanted). Small businesses will get some support, but not nearly as much as they received last spring.