Virginia lawmakers continue to debate additional COVID relief package

ROANOKE, Va. (WSET) -- Lawmakers in Virginia are continuing to debate back and forth on the next round of COVID-19 economic relief for Americans.

Both Congressman Ben Cline and Senator Tim Kaine said that they hope to get something figured out as soon as possible.

Rep. Cline said that he hopes to pass a bipartisan bill that will target aid to three areas: those in need, small businesses and schools. He said that small businesses in the area are asking for protection from lawsuits if someone gets COVID at their businesses, as well as additional loans to help them stay open.

Cline said that he hopes the bill will also help those in the front lines, but added that the aid needs to be specifically targeted.

"It should be helping those truly in need," Cline said. "There may be some unemployment benefit in there but it can't be a disincentive to those people who ought to be headed back to work."

Cline said that the bill that Democrats are pushing won't get passed, because he said they also want to fund things like the arts and the Green New Deal.

In response, Senator Tim Kaine said that the Republican bill won't work either.

He said that there needs to be more money for state and federal aid, as well as more money to expand physician training in rural or minority communities.

"We need to deal with people's hardships where they are, extending the unemployment and provide rental and mortgage assistance with those facing evictions," Kaine said. "Increase SNAP benefits for those things because food insecurity around Virginia and around the country as I have called and traveled is significant."

As of Wednesday, it has been over four months since the last stimulus bill was passed.

Both lawmakers say that they are confident that they will come to an agreement on something soon.