The U.S. Congress is eyeing another round of COVID-19 relief for Americans during the pandemic, but Democrats and Republicans appear far from consensus on what should be included.  

On Tuesday, Senate Republican leaders announced a plan to provide $105 billion for schools, direct payments to families, and small businesses.

Still under debate is how much Republican senators want to dedicate to coronavirus testing and federal agencies fighting the virus. Also unclear is whether they'll include a payroll tax cut and how to address the expiration of some unemployment benefits at the end of July.

The reopening of U.S. schools remains a controversial topic. President Trump has urged schools to reopen quickly and left decisions on how to do so to individual states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has also released strategies on how schools can reopen and what guidelines they should follow. 

Many school districts will begin the fall term the way they ended the spring semester, with online only instruction. That includes the majority of all K-12 schools in California, under orders from Gov. Gavin Newsom. In other states, students will either return to in-person instruction or a hybrid program.

In Florida, the Department of Education issued an emergency order requiring all physical schools to reopen at least five days a week, for all students.

Schools that reopen with in-person instruction will likely look different compared to previous school years.
Most students will have to wear masks, social distance, have different schedules, and follow other COVID-19 guidelines. 

"They're going to have more expenses, transportation and petitions and different ways to have meals than they've had in the past," said Senator Roy Blunt.

According to Blunt, the $105 billion Republicans plan for education will include about $70 billion for elementary, middle and high schools, with more money available to districts that reopen with in-person instruction.

He said $30 billion would be set aside for colleges and universities, and $5 billion would be for governors to use at their discretion.

The New York Times reports, Senate Democrats are proposing legislation that would give $430 billion to schools.

Democrats have also stated they will oppose any legislation that ties school funding to whether or not schools return with in-person instruction, according to Forbes.

"The thought of using student safety as a bargaining chip is truly appalling," Senator Patty Murray told reporters. 

According to a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs, only about 1 in 10 Americans think daycare centers, preschools or K-12 schools should reopen without restrictions.

The poll also finds about 3 in 10 people think in-person instruction shouldn't happen at all.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to release the Republicans' draft of their coronavirus relief bill by the end of this week.

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