Sunday shows preview: Congress inches toward stimulus package amid COVID-19 surge

Negotiations on a new coronavirus relief bill, the surge in coronavirus cases across the U.S. and COVID-19 vaccine distribution are expected to dominate this Sunday’s talk shows. 

Both congressional Democrats and Republicans have made headway this week in negotiations on a deal for another coronavirus relief bill amid pressure to release a new package by Christmas. 

On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of more than a dozen members from both the House and the Senate unveiled a $908 billion coronavirus relief proposal, which would provide another $160 billion for states and cities — a top priority for Democrats — $180 billion for unemployment insurance and $288 billion for more small business assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program.

Following the proposal’s release, House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: Unemployment gains lower than expected | Jobs report lights fire under coronavirus relief talks Hillicon Valley: Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security | Biden says China must play by ‘international norms’ | House Democrats use Markup app for leadership contest voting Bipartisan governors call on Congress to pass coronavirus relief package MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck SchumerChuck SchumerBipartisan governors call on Congress to pass coronavirus relief package Pelosi, Schumer endorse 8 billion plan as basis for stimulus talks Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms MORE (D-N.Y.) said that they would accept the proposal as a starting point to negotiate. 

At the time of its release, Sen. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinSanders says he can’t support bipartisan COVID-19 relief proposal in its current form Progressives push for direct payments to be included in COVID-19 relief deal Rubio and Ocasio-Cortez spar on Twitter: ‘Work more, tweet less’ MORE (D-W.Va.), one of the legislation’s authors, called on Congress to quickly pass the bill with a slew of assistance programs set to expire within weeks. 

“This is a COVID emergency relief framework,” Manchin said. “It’s not the time for political brinkmanship. … This is going to get us through the most difficult times.”

Manchin is set to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. 

Among the group of lawmakers who backed the bill were Sens. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerHillicon Valley: Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security | Biden says China must play by ‘international norms’ | House Democrats use Markup app for leadership contest voting Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security Defense policy bill would create new cyber czar position MORE (D-Va.) and Bill CassidyBill CassidyOvernight Health Care: CDC urges ‘universal’ indoor mask use when not at home | Pelosi bullish on COVID-19 relief | Trump largely silent on coronavirus as health officials sound the alarm The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Congress inches closer to virus relief deal Lawmakers pressure leaders to reach COVID-19 relief deal MORE (R-La.), both of whom will make appearances on CNN’s “State of the Union” and “Fox News Sunday,” respectively. 

News on another stimulus bill comes as pharmaceutical companies developing coronavirus vaccine have applied for approval of their candidates for public distribution. 

Both Moderna and Pfizer have requested emergency authorizations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their respective COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA has scheduled a meeting for Dec. 10 to discuss Pfizer’s request for authorization and Moderna’s for a week later, with the possibility of authorization within days after the meetings. 

Head of the Trump administration’s vaccine effort, Moncef Slaoui, told reporters Wednesday that the U.S. is hoping to give a COVID-19 vaccine to 100 million people by the end of February. 

Slaoui, who is scheduled to appear on both CNN’s Sunday show and CBS’s “Face the Nation,” said that the predicted number of people represents all of the nation’s front line health workers, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions. 

In addition, Deborah BirxDeborah BirxAtlas departure from White House cheered by public health officials Scott Atlas resigns as coronavirus adviser to Trump The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Coast-to-coast fears about post-holiday COVID-19 spread MORE, coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force, is expected to be on “Meet the Press” and “America This Week with Eric Bolling” on Sunday. 

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows: 

ABC’s “This Week” — Alex Azar, health and human services secretary; Sens. Dick DurbinDick DurbinLawmakers pressure leaders to reach COVID-19 relief deal Congress faces late-year logjam Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms MORE (D-Ill.) and Mike BraunMichael BraunGOP urges Trump not to tank defense bill over tech fight Republicans ready to become deficit hawks again under a President Biden Meadows meets with Senate GOP to discuss end-of-year priorities MORE (R-Ind.). 

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Birx; Manchin; Gabriel Sterling, voting system implementation manager in the Georgia secretary of state’s office.

CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Christopher Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; Dr. James Linder, CEO of Nebraska Medicine; Chicago Mayor Lori LightfootLori LightfootDemocratic figures accused of hypocrisy on COVID-19 precautions Chicago mayor says COVID-19 vaccine faces ‘reluctance’ among African American communities McEnany hits Democratic leaders for not following their own COVID-19 restrictions MORE; Slauoi. 

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Slaoui; Warner; Rep. Karen BassKaren Ruth BassJoyce Beatty elected next chair of Congressional Black Caucus Feinstein pushes for California secretary of state to replace Harris in Senate The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC – Trump OKs transition; Biden taps Treasury, State experience MORE (D-Calif.); Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R-Ga.). 

“Fox News Sunday” — Azar; Cassidy; former CIA Director John BrennanJohn Owen BrennanOvernight Defense: Lawmakers release compromise defense bill in defiance of Trump veto threat | Senate voting next week on blocking UAE arms sale | Report faults lack of training, ‘chronic fatigue’ in military plane crashes Overnight Defense: Defense bill among Congress’s year-end scramble | Iranian scientist’s assassination adds hurdles to Biden’s plan on nuclear deal | Navy scrapping USS Bonhomme Richard after fire Biden faces new Iran challenges after nuclear scientist killed MORE.

Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” — John RatcliffeJohn Lee RatcliffeHillicon Valley: Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security | Biden says China must play by ‘international norms’ | House Democrats use Markup app for leadership contest voting Pompeo imposes visa restrictions on Chinese officials over ‘intimidation’ tactics Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security MORE, Director of National Intelligence; Rudy GiulianiRudy GiulianiHow Trump’s election lawsuits became his worst nightmare Michigan voter fraud hearing goes viral for alleged flatulence, unruly witness Trump hits Barr over voter fraud remarks: ‘He hasn’t looked’ MORE, attorney for President TrumpDonald John TrumpAppeals court OKs White House diverting military funding to border wall construction Pentagon: Tentative meeting between spy agencies, Biden transition set for early next week Conservative policy director calls Section 230 repeal an ‘existential threat’ for tech MORE and former New York City mayor; Ken Starr, Fox News contributor; Alan DershowitzAlan Morton DershowitzSunday shows preview: Biden transition, COVID-19 spike in spotlight The Hill’s 12:30 Report: War over the Supreme Court Dershowitz suing CNN for 0 million in defamation suit MORE, constitutional legal scholar, Harvard Law Professor Emeritus. 

“America This Week with Eric Bolling” — Birx; Giuliani; K.T. McFarland, former deputy national security adviser; Brock Pierce, crypto-currency entrepreneur; Dan Lippman, Politico.