WASHINGTON—Senate Republicans were confident Wednesday that most GOP colleagues would vote to support a narrower coronavirus aid package, a move aimed to highlight party unity as lawmakers grew increasingly pessimistic about any deal with Democrats before the election. Senate GOP leaders hadn’t held a vote on their earlier proposal, which divided Republicans. Republicans currently have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but control is seen as up for grabs in the November election. “The opportunity to signal their support for a targeted, responsible and responsive package this week is going to be essential,” said Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, the chairman of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm. The new bill includes about $650 billion in spending, offset by $350 billion in savings elsewhere for a total cost of around $300 billion, according to GOP aides.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 09, 2020 21:14 UTC