More than 400 U.S. businesses are calling on Congress to include liability protection in the next COVID-19 relief package.

In a letter to U.S. lawmakers, the businesses urged the support of “timely, targeted and temporary liability relief provisions” that would “safeguard healthcare workers, providers, and facilities, as well as businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions against unfair lawsuits so they can continue to contribute to a safe and effective economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The letter is signed by, among others, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, Airlines for America, National Restaurant Association, Federation of American Hospitals and the National Retail Federation. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday said there would be no COVID-19 relief bill without liability protections, though Democrats contend liability protection should prioritize worker safety, not corporate America.

"No bill will be put on the Senate floor that does not have liability protections," McConnell told reporters.

The GOP relief package includes a five-year COVID-19 liability protection for businesses so they can "spend their next months actually reopening rather than fighting for their lives against frivolous lawsuits," he said Monday while unveiling the HEALS Act.

• Kentucky Orders Bars Closed, Reduced Capacity at Restaurants Due to COVID-19
• McDonalds Partners With Mayo Clinic on Workplace Safety Amid COVID-19 Pandemic