Hi, I'm Dan Pramak, and welcome to Axios Recap, presented by Facebook.

Today's Tuesday, December 15th.

Stocks are up, temperatures in the northeast are down, ahead of a major storm,

and we're focused on the stalled economic stimulus, still.

With vaccine distribution beginning this week, America can finally see the light at the

end of the tunnel, and that's very good news.

The bad news, though, that tunnel remains several months long, which is going to lead to economic

pain and hardship for millions.

For example, individuals on the verge of losing their enhanced unemployment

benefits, or entrepreneurs whose businesses burned through their small business loans months ago,

even though they're now facing renewed lockdowns. That's why almost every federal elected

official agrees the country needs a new economic stimulus, and they felt that way for months.

The details, though, have been devilish.

The last best hope is a framework crafted by a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators,

including 11 U.S. senators.

It's actually now been split into two bills, one that includes the stuff almost everyone wants,

and then a smaller one that includes the stuff almost everyone wants, and then a smaller one that

includes the stuff that splits along party lines, like state and local aid, which is something

Democrats want, and limited liability protections for schools and businesses, which Republicans

want. This package, this proposal, began with a phone call after election night between

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia

and Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. In 15 seconds, we'll speak with Senator

...