U.S. Rep. Tom Reed P-J file photo

The Problem Solvers Caucus on Tuesday unveiled its COVID-19 relief package while also encouraging members of Congress to “get back to the table.”

The caucus, made up of 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans and co-chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, said its “March To Common Ground” relief package addresses key areas of need, including COVID-19 testing, unemployment insurance, direct stimulus, worker and liability protection, small business and non-profit support, food security, schools and child care, housing, election support, and state and local aid.

“Americans deserve a functioning Congress that can rise to the challenge and deliver the relief they need,” Reed said in a news release. “Our framework reflects months of bipartisan consensus-building on the actions the federal government can take to help working families and local communities across the country as they navigate the impacts of COVID-19. We are hopeful this package will help bring lead negotiations back to the table as we try to solve this problem for the American people.”

In light of the urgent needs facing millions of Americans, families, and small businesses, the framework is designed for a six month horizon and through the next inauguration, except for state and local funding which extends for a full year.

Depending on the severity of the pandemic and if a successful vaccination program is adopted by March 2021 a system of automatic “boosters” are designed to incrementally increase the amount of relief to individuals and families. Conversely, a system of “reducers” will decrease the total cost of the package.

The framework calls for both new stimulus money and the reallocation of previously appropriated “CARES Act” funding.