Momentum appeared to stall Wednesday on a COVID-19 relief bill amid differences not only between…

Momentum appeared to stall Wednesday on a COVID-19 relief bill amid differences not only between the parties, but between Senate Republicans and the White House over what should be included in the legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump taps Conway, Chao to government posts in waning days of administrationPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksMORE (R-Ky.) accused Democratic leaders of blocking progress, casting doubt on reaching a deal this week.
At every turn theyve delayed, deflected, moved the goalpost and made the huge number of places where Congress agrees into a hostage for the few places where we do not agree, he said on the Senate floor.
McConnell pointed to Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksBipartisan fix for ‘surprise’ medical bills hits roadblockMOREs (D-Calif.) swift rejection Tuesday evening of a new $916 billion proposal offered by Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven MnuchinPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksSupport grows for stimulus checks, but they may waitMORE, that would provide $160 billion in funding to state and local governments, a priority of Democrats, but also give businesses robust liability protections for businesses and schools, a priority of Republicans.
The fresh uncertainty over negotiations that appeared to be picking up momentum last week put a damper on the stock markets, which plunged into the red shortly after McConnell spoke Wednesday. 
A bipartisan group of moderates released more details of their $908 billion proposal, which has played a key role in the negotiations in recent days. However, they didnt provide specifics about how theyd address state and local aid and liability protection. Instead, their document states that they have agreements in principle on these topics as the basis for good faith negotiations. 
The moderates had set themselves an informal deadline of Monday for reaching an agreement and releasing legislative text, but as of Wednesday afternoon, the text had yet to emerge as lawmakers remained stymied on the contentious issue of giving liability protection to businesses and other organizations. 
A GOP aide said the inability of moderates to produce legislative text by Wednesday was a significant problem given the few legislative days remaining until Christmas Day. 
We need that language Saturday, the aide said.
Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksRomney: ‘Nuts’ to invite doctor who questioned coronavirus vaccine to Senate hearing Schumer calls on Biden to bypass Congress and forgive K in student loans per personMORE (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that White Houses $916 billion plan was encouraging in that it showed that Republicans back the size of the moderates plan. But he also said that the White House proposal shouldnt take the place of the bipartisan groups discussions.
The presidents proposal must not be allowed to supersede or obstruct the bipartisan congressional talks that are underway, he said. That is where the real action is, and where bipartisan agreement on the basic concepts will ultimately be forged.
Schumer also noted that Democrats have reduced the size of their relief proposals over the past several months in order to reach a compromise with Republicans.
Senate Republican Whip John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneGOP hopes for escape hatch from showdown with TrumpSupport grows for stimulus checks, but they may waitOn The Money: Mnuchin pitches Pelosi 6B coronavirus deal with Trump’s blessing | White House offers direct payments, state and local aidMORE (R-S.D.) said GOP senators are significantly divided over the moderates proposal to provide $160 billion in new federal funding for state and local governments, which conservatives criticize as a bailout for blue states such as California and New York. 
The most dilutive aspect of any of these proposals to our vote total in the Senate among Republicans is state and local [funding], theres no question about it. That bleeds Republican, Thune said. 
Senate Republican leaders arent saying whether the bipartisan $908 billion proposal will even get a vote on the Senate floor. 
Asked if the bipartisan proposal would get majority support from the Senate GOP conference, Thune said, based on past members concerns and previous votes that having state and local funding in there would be highly problematic.
Having that in there would complicate the Republican vote total, he added.  
A key test for the moderates is whether they can strike a deal on the wording of a provision to protect businesses, schools, universities, churches and other organizations from coronavirus-related lawsuits. 
Sens. Angus KingAngus KingPelosi blasts McConnell suggestion to pare down COVID-19 relief bill: ‘Appalling’Senate Democrats urge Google to improve ad policies to combat election disinformationHillicon Valley: Government used Patriot Act to gather website visitor logs in 2019 | Defense bill leaves out Section 230 repeal, includes White House cyber czar position | Officials warn hackers are targeting vaccine supply chainMORE (I-Maine) and Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamHouse approves defense policy bill despite Trump veto threatPelosi blasts McConnell suggestion to pare down COVID-19 relief bill: ‘Appalling’Doug Jones seen as leading contender as Biden attorney general: reportMORE (R-S.C.) have taken over the talks on liability protection after negotiations between Senate Democratic Whip Dick DurbinDick DurbinSenate Democrats to vote on leadership rules amid power struggleDurbin leads opposition to COVID-19 liability shield with eye on Judiciary postThis week: Congress poised to buy more time on spending, coronavirus talksMORE (Ill.) and Sen. John CornynJohn CornynGOP hopes for escape hatch from showdown with TrumpMcConnell proposes keeping liability protection and state, local funding out of coronavirus relief billDurbin leads opposition to COVID-19 liability shield with eye on Judiciary postMORE (R-Texas) failed to make progress over the weekend. 
King told reporters Wednesday that hes close to an agreement with Graham, but the bigger challenge will be to win the support of the broader Senate Democratic caucus. 
Were working on the bill language now, he said, adding the goal was to get it finished by the end of the day.
A group of progressive senators, including Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksSupport grows for stimulus checks, but they may waitOn The Money: Mnuchin pitches Pelosi 6B coronavirus deal with Trump’s blessing | White House offers direct payments, state and local aidMORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksOvernight Defense: Biden taps Austin for Pentagon chief | Army announces Ft Hood firings, suspensions | House approves defense bill despite Trump vetoOn The Money: Mnuchin pitches Pelosi 6B coronavirus deal with Trump’s blessing | White House offers direct payments, state and local aidMORE (D-Mass.), on Tuesday slammed the bipartisan proposal for including a six-month moratorium on COVID-related lawsuits, declaring it would give a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk.
McConnell on Tuesday suggested that Congress pass a relief package that does not include either state and local aid or liability protection, but faced pushback from Democratic leadership. 
The GOP leader last week appeared to shoot down the moderates $908 billion proposal when asked about it at a press conference. 
We just dont have time to waste time, he told reporters when asked about the plan. 
It appeared last month that McConnell was going to take the lead in negotiating with Democrats the size and scope of any coronavirus relief package passed before the Christmas recess.
Then the White House weighed in unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon with Mnuchins $916 billion proposal. It includes stimulus checks, a priority of some lawmakers on the left and the right that was not a part of the bipartisan proposal. 
Mnuchins plan also provides limited funding for unemployment insurance $40 billion drawing a swift rebuke from Pelosi and Schumer, who called it unacceptable.
Progressives who are pushing for direct payments said they found the White Houses proposal insufficient. They are pushing for payments of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child the same amount as the one-time payments provided in the CARES Act enacted in March while Mnuchin proposed payments of $600 per adult and per child.
The proposal that came out of the White House just yesterday talks not about $1,200 per person but $600. Thats unacceptable, Sanders said on MSNBC Wednesday. And by the way, they want to do away with all extended unemployment benefits, and that is also unacceptable. 
Analysts have roughly estimated that direct payments of $600 would cost about $170 billion. Thats about half the cost of the first round of payments, and is an amount similar in size to the amount of funding proposed for state and local governments in both the White House and the moderates proposals.