The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and other business groups want federal lawmakers to speed up the arrival of several tax credits for corporations, saying the tax relief would provide a much-needed boost for the struggling U.S. economy, The Washington Post reported.

Corporations currently cannot claim tax credits if the credits exceed their tax liability, although they can roll the credits into future years, according to the newspaper. Business groups are working with Republican senators on a proposal that would allow businesses to "cash out" all their credits this year instead.

The plan has become one of the top priorities for business groups in any future pandemic relief packages. Another priority is shielding businesses from lawsuits brought by employees and customers who say they contracted the virus that causes COVID-19 while at their jobs or when shopping or doing business.

Democrats oppose the proposed liability protections for businesses and argue that government assistance should instead target small businesses and employees. In a statement to the Post, a House Democratic aide said the plan to speed up tax credits for corporations "does not seem like the best use of federal dollars."

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