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Virus Bill Blocked in Senate as Prospects Dim for New Relief

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats scuttled a scaled-back GOP coronavirus rescue package on Thursday as the parties argued to a standstill over the size and scope of the aid, likely ending hopes for coronavirus relief before the November election.

The mostly party-line vote capped weeks of wrangling that gave way to election-season political combat and name-calling over a fifth relief bill that all sides say they want but are unable to deliver. The bipartisan spirit that powered earlier aid measures is all but gone.

Democrats said the measure shortchanged too many pressing needs. Republicans argued it was targeted to areas of widespread agreement, but the 52-47 vote fell well short of what was needed to overcome a filibuster. All the present Democrats opposed it, while conservative Rand Paul, R-Ky., cast the only GOP “nay” vote. The Democratic vice presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, was campaigning in Miami and missed the vote.

“It’s a sort of a dead end street, and very unfortunate,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. “But it is what it is.”

The $650 billion measure is significantly smaller than legislation promoted by Republican leaders this summer. But that version was too big for most conservatives, so the GOP bill was instead stripped back to focus on school aid, jobless benefits and help for small businesses. That maximized Republican support even as it alienated Democrats, who say such a piecemeal approach would leave out far too many vulnerable people.

The result was a predictable impasse and partisan tit-for tat as the congressional session limps to its pre-election close. The panicked atmosphere that drove passage of the $2 trillion landmark CARES Act in March has dissipated as the nation powers through the pandemic with partial reopenings of businesses and schools, though the economy lags and the virus continues to badly disrupt life in the U.S.

It’s becoming plain that all Congress will do before the Nov. 3 election is pass legislation to avert a government shutdown. The outcome of the election promises to have an outsize impact on what might be possible in a postelection lame-duck session, with Democrats sure to press for a better deal if Democrat Joe Biden unseats President Donald Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., predicted that Thursday’s GOP defeat would prompt Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., back to the negotiating table, as an earlier filibuster in March helped make the $2 trillion rescue bill more generous.

“But (Thursday’s) bill is not going to happen because it is so emaciated, so filled with poison pills, so partisanly designed,” Schumer said.

McConnell crafted the measure to permit his GOP colleagues to go on record in favor of popular provisions such as another round of “paycheck protection” help for smaller businesses, help for schools to reopen and supplemental jobless benefits. He again blasted Democrats on Thursday, saying they are still pushing a liberal wish list and are willing to scuttle provisions with widespread backing to deny Trump a victory.

“Today every senator will either say they want to send families the relief we can agree to or they can send families nothing,” McConnell said.

There’s no indication yet that bipartisan talks that crumbled last month will restart. Top lawmakers and aides offered glum assessments both publicly and privately.

Veteran Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley said it’s “sad” there will be no virus aid deal, though he also said the outlook for the economy may not be as bleak as he once thought.

“If you’d asked me, two or three weeks ago I’d say very, very negative,” Grassley said. But with the job market improving and “the whole world kind of getting out of this pandemic, depression, we’re in” Grassley said, there’s “a lot less of an impact than I would have thought two weeks ago.”

The stalemate is politically risky for all sides heading into the fall election, and both sides accused the other of acting primarily with political calculations in mind. Democrats said GOP senators need to “check a box” and vote on any kind of relief bill before exiting Washington to campaign while Republicans said Democrats were intent on denying Republicans a political win.

“What is of overwhelming importance to Democrats is keeping coronavirus alive as a political issue,” said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. “They’d rather have no bill, zero funding and a political weapon than have a bill and allow Republicans to say that we helped Americans.”

All that’s left — barring a breakthrough that looks unlikely now — is to pass a government-wide short-term spending measure that would avert a shutdown at month’s end and set up a postelection lame-duck session to deal with any unfinished Capitol Hill legislation, which could include coronavirus relief.

The scaled-back GOP virus plan is roughly one-seventh the size of a whopping Democratic package that passed the house in May and about one-fourth of the $2.2 trillion set by Pelosi last month. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin mentioned a $1.5 trillion figure in testimony last week.

The failed measure would have provide $105 billion to help schools reopen, created a scaled-back $300-per-week supplemental jobless benefit, and devoted $258 billion for a second round of paycheck protection subsidies for smaller businesses. Lesser amounts would have furthered vaccine research and development and funded the Postal Service, farmers, and child care.

It did not contain a new round of $1,200 direct payments to Americans, and the new $300 weekly jobless benefit would expire just after Christmas, on Dec. 27. The GOP bill also lacked money for election costs that lawmakers from both parties have supported to accommodate a huge influx of mail-in ballots.

Official estimates of the measure’s cost were unavailable, but a GOP legislative aide said the cost is about $650 billion, with about half of the price tag offset by repurposing prior COVID funds.

 

Business

U-Haul Adds Orlando Dealer to Its Network of 21,000 Small Business Partners Across the U.S.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – U-Haul Co. of Florida proudly welcomes Don Gabo Petroleum as its newest U-Haul® neighborhood dealer in Orlando. Located at 1905 E. Michigan St., Don Gabo Petroleum will provide essential moving services including U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies, and will offer the convenience of Spanish-speaking associates to better serve the local community.

We’re excited to partner with Don Gabo Petroleum to expand our services in Orlando, providing more access to do-it-yourself moving solutions while supporting a local business,” said a U-Haul spokesperson.

U-Haul has a long history of partnering with independent dealers to help customers with moving needs since 1945. With over 21,000 neighborhood dealers across the U.S. and Canada, U-Haul is helping small businesses generate supplemental income through these partnerships, which is especially beneficial during challenging economic times.

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When customers rent from a U-Haul dealer, they’re not just renting a truck; they’re supporting an independent small business in their community,” the spokesperson added.

Location:
Don Gabo Petroleum
1905 E. Michigan St., Orlando, FL

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Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida Announces 2024 El Josco Award Finalists for Annual Gala

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida has officially announced the highly anticipated finalists for the 2024 El Josco Awards, according to a press release. The prestigious annual awards gala will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Caribe Royale Resort, celebrating outstanding achievements within the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m., featuring live music, entertainment, and special surprises.

The finalists have been named in the following categories:

Communications

  • Jennifer Marcial – Orlando Economic Partnership
  • Luis R. Hernández – El Show de Luis Hernández
  • Neisha Molina – Anchor & Producer, News Televisa Univision

Education

  • Martin Levert – Executive Director, Florida Technical College (Kissimmee Campus)
  • Omar Villafañe – Campus Director, Ana G. Mendez University
  • Susanne Peña – Professor, Florida International University

Health

  • Dr. Arnaldo E. Vélez, MD – Vascular Neurology, Orlando Health
  • Dr. Ivan A. Rivera – Poinciana Medical Clinic
  • Dr. Wilmer Alvarez, PhD, MBA – Vice President, Grants Administration, Orlando Health

Community Service

  • Elizabeth Vazquez – Comparte Tu Pan
  • Marcos Vilar – President & Executive Director, Alianza Center
  • Norberto Fonseca – Advance Community Outreach Center

Entrepreneurship

  • Florencio Rodriguez – Founder, Don Julio Restaurant Group
  • Ivelissa Ríos – Ivelissa Riendo y Comiendo
  • Luis Acosta – Owner, Next Level Creative

Professional of the Year

  • Denisse Centeno Lamas – Hispanic Family Counseling Inc.
  • Janice Lopez – Vice President, Sr. Business Consultant, JP Morgan Chase
  • Rommel Ariza – Valens General Services & Contracting

Woman-Owned Business of the Year

  • The License Pro – Maelyn Arroyo
  • Green Squad Solar – Midyivia Torres Vega
  • Urbander – Sami Haiman-Marrero, CEO

Small Business of the Year

  • El Kiosko 38 – Guillermo & Martha Tejada
  • Ladder & Heels Adjusting – Mari Ivelisse Rivera
  • Learning Tree PPEC – Veronica Luna & Raul Ramirez

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Josco Award 2024 will be presented to Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, the first woman and first Hispanic to serve as Surgeon General of the United States, for her groundbreaking contributions to public health and her lifelong dedication to underserved communities.

Additionally, the Chamber will recognize the recipients of the “Future Leaders Scholarships”, awarded to promising young Puerto Rican and Hispanic leaders. These scholarships are made possible by the Chamber and its sponsors, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to empowering youth through education and leadership opportunities.

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CFHLA Hires Veteran Journalist Keith Landry as New Director of Communications and Marketing

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA) announced today the appointment of Keith Landry as its new Director of Communications and Marketing, effective September 18, 2024. With a 26-year career as a TV news anchor and reporter, including nearly 14 years at Fox 35 News Orlando, Landry brings a wealth of media experience to the role.

CFHLA President and CEO Robert Agrusa expressed enthusiasm for Landry’s appointment, highlighting his dedication to telling the stories of the hardworking individuals in Central Florida’s hospitality industry. Agrusa noted that Landry’s experience will help promote the industry’s significant impact, including creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors.

Landry, the founder of Keith Landry Media, shared his excitement for the new role, stating, “Tourism dollars significantly support our local families, saving them an average of $7,400 per year on taxes. I look forward to sharing these vital stories with our community.”

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