Today's Politico Playbook Audio Briefing is presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Good Tuesday morning. I'm Jake Sherman and welcome to your Politico Playbook audio briefing.

And I'm Anna Palmer. We've got some news this morning. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didn't include direct payments in his last couple coronavirus relief packages.

The Senate Republican Conference is mostly opposed.

But several sources tell us that McConnell's opposition to direct payments is softening.

The White House, President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, are for direct

payment as part of any stimulus package.

The administration is going to push hard for direct payments, and we're told that if a package

comes together, McConnell will not stand in the way. A tentative plan we heard was for the White

White House to add direct payments into its counter to McConnell's offer, if and when that comes

together. McConnell spoke Monday afternoon with McCarthy, White House

Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, and Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin about COVID relief.

Burgess efforts scoop Monday that Josh Hawley called on Trump to veto any COVID bill that doesn't

have direct payments. Holly spoke to Trump about the political dynamics on the Hill and COVID relief.

We have a pretty dim

view at the moment of the 908 coalition, the bipartisan group that's trying to strike a COVID

compromise. Not because they're doing anything wrong, they're not, but it's late in the game,

and if a package comes together, it's likely going to come from the leadership with elements of that

group's work being included. Mary Ann Levine reports on the latest here from this group on liability

reform. A liability overhaul is still a sticking point in this 908 group. So what's most likely

at this point? Good question. The easiest path would be to renew the paycheck protection program,

unemployment insurance, and a new round of direct payments. But as

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