WASHINGTION — Corporations are displeased that their proposal to excuse them from COVID negligence lawsuits failed in Congress. Midwest meat-processors, like Tyson and Smithfield, as well as other major companies, had lobbied for the protection. And Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., made the shield a personal priority in negotiations for the latest federal COVID relief package. McConnell, however, was forced to yield in the Senate and House compromises in trimming relief package from $3 billion to $900 million.
The vote
Senate: 92-6
House: 359-53