Covid Aid Rejected, Putting Pandemic Response Funds on Fumes (1)

A measure to fund the government beyond this week excludes major funding for Covid-19 response programs, setting the stage for lawmakers to debate another pandemic aid package later this year.

Democratic leaders jettisoned the entire Covid supplemental response from a bill (H.R. 2471) to fund the government through September after members resisted raiding state and local aid to offset the cost. The administration sought almost $15 billion for Covid testing and treatment supplies, out of an overall $18.25 billion request for the domestic coronavirus response.

While Democrats hope to revisit Covid aid later this year, getting another package ...