The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell but remained at a historically high 847,000 last week.
The data underscores that President Joe Biden has inherited an economy that faltered this winter as virus cases spiked.
Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” would deliver another round of aid to stabilize the economy while public health officials try to get the upper hand on the pandemic.
After declining over the summer, weekly claims have been stuck above 700,000 since September.
The billionaire mogul and power broker who built a casino empire spanning from Las Vegas to China has died after a long illness.
Lawmakers are set to introduce the legislation Monday, with voting mid-week.
The figures suggest employers have rehired roughly all the workers they can afford to after laying off more than 22 million.
On Friday, the government will issue a December jobs report that economists expect will show hiring slowed for a sixth straight month.
Dozens breached security perimeters and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda.
McConnell gave almost no indication of his plans ahead.
