WASHINGTON—The partisan standoff over a new coronavirus-aid package showed new hints of thawing Wednesday, as Republicans said they saw signs that Democrats were seeking a compromise.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Wednesday that Democratic leaders had “signaled a new willingness to engage in good faith.” On Monday night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) sent Mr. McConnell a new Covid-19 relief proposal, whose contents they have declined to disclose.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) said Wednesday that he was hopeful that in the next few days, “we will be able to come to an agreement on a bill that responds to these major crises, at least in the short term,” referencing the need to help state and local municipalities and small businesses, among other things.
Mr. Hoyer said he had spoken to Mr. McConnell and the two agreed that legislation should come up before the end of next week.
Democrats had coalesced earlier around a $2.4 trillion bill passed in the House, which contains measures including funding for state and local governments and food stamps, among others, which GOP proposals have excluded. But on Tuesday, a new bipartisan group unveiled a short-term $908 billion relief proposal, which they said was aimed at helping the country survive the pandemic’s recent nationwide surge through March.
