GOP senator: COVID-19 relief package ‘gets done today’

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso (R) expressed optimism on Sunday that the Senate would reach a deal on another coronavirus relief package after months of talks.

“This gets done today. No more delays. We’re not leaving until we have relief for the American people,” Barrasso said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“People are hurting, people need help, and there are two things we need to do to write this final chapter on coronavirus,” he added. “The one is to get people vaccinated. We’re doing that now — 20 million people will be vaccinated by New Year’s Eve — but we need to provide help for the American people.”

After the Senate reached an impasse over a provision in the package regarding the Federal Reserve’s lending authority, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) reached an agreement Saturday night.

Barrasso said Sunday that the final agreement would include direct $600 payments to Americans as well as an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program.

“It’s a little more specific this time in that the business has to be fewer than 300 employees and they have to actually show a loss,” he added.

Fox’s Chris Wallace also asked Barrasso about remarks he made to reporters last week after the Electoral College officially affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Asked whether he accepted the results, Barrasso last Monday called it a “gotcha question.”

“I accept what has happened with the election and with the Electoral College,” Barrasso told Wallace on Sunday. “This didn’t turn out the way I wanted, but the Electoral College has now certified the election. We have that Constitution, and I accept the outcome of the election.”

Asked directly whether Biden would be the next president of the United States, Barrasso responded, “Yes, he will.”