Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is proposing more than $100 billion in coronavirus stimulus funds to aid schools preparing for in-person classes this Fall.
McConnell spoke from the Senate floor on Tuesday where he discussed the reopening of schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Republican lawmaker also noted the type of legislative measures needed for schools to have the resources needed to effectively reopen schools safely.
“This country wants its kids back in the classroom this Fall learning, exploring, making friends,” he said. “Their educations depend on it. In some cases, their safety depends on it and so do the livelihoods of working parents.”
He later added, “This majority is preparing legislation that will send $105 billion so that educators have the resources they need to safely reopen.”
The latest figure is more than $30 billion higher than the initial $70 billion Republican lawmakers previously discussed.
See McConnell’s remarks below:
Although McConnell is proposing financial support for schools, multiple Republican senators have expressed concern about in-person classes. There are also debates regarding how schools should be funded and what types of conditions or restrictions should be in place.
In fact. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) noted that it may not be feasible to create a “one size fits all” national federal policy, as schools will need assistance even if they are not in-person.
“I just don’t think you can come up with a national federal policy that’s a one size fits all. The circumstances are very different,” Thune said.
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) noted that it may be beneficial for it to be conditional as the financial assistance each school would need would be based on their type of reopening.
Blunt said, “I think, in any case, schools at all levels have been impacted by what happened and so I think a lot of that support needs to not be conditioned.”
Despite the financial incentives being touted to assist school districts preparing to reopen, teachers and unions nationwide are fighting back due to safety concerns they will face returning to classrooms in the coming weeks.
As the number of known coronavirus cases in the United States approaches 4 million, several states are battling increases in cases just weeks away from the reopening of schools.
