Biden has also said he hopes to see additional federal aid for small businesses.
Over the next 10 days Congress also has to deal with passing a $1.4 trillion annual spending bill to fund government operations. The U.S. government has been working under a stopgap measure since the fiscal year began on Oct. 1. That expires Dec. 11, and missing the deadline would trigger a partial government shutdown.
The must-pass measure has emerged as the likely vehicle for any pandemic-related relief.
Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the chamber’s No. 2 Republican, said he thought some relief, such as aid for small businesses or money for schools and vaccine distribution, could be attached to the annual spending bill.
Some lawmakers were skeptical there was enough time before the Congress breaks for the holidays.
“The whole idea of not being willing to negotiate until you’re down to the last week of negotiating time usually doesn’t produce a very good result,” said Missouri Republican Senator Roy Blunt, also a member of McConnell’s leadership team.