Yesterday, as the results of the races for the presidency and control of Congress started to come into focus, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) expressed support for reviving efforts to approve a Phase IV COVID-19 relief bill. A bill would likely move forward during the lame duck session of Congress that will begin later this month. Notably, for the first time, Sen. McConnell publicly indicated an openness to support for state and local governments, which House Democrats have long demanded.

With elections in the rear view mirror, Republican and Democrats in Washington will likely find a far less complicated path to a final COVID-19 recovery bill. A path forward on a bill should emerge shortly after the presidential election result is finalized.