Senate passes $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill — House aims for Friday vote
Speaking before the chamber passed the bill, McConnell said the Senate would not return until April 20. However, he said lawmakers would be “nimble” as the evolving crisis could force further action to boost the American economy or health-care system.
“If circumstances require the Senate to return for a vote sooner than April the 20th we will provide at least 24 hours of notice,” he said.
Before passing the bill, the Senate rejected an amendment proposed by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., to cap unemployment insurance at a recipient’s previous wages. The bill adds $600 per week to the benefits a recipient would normally get for up to four months. Sasse’s amendment failed in a 48-48 vote.
The senator and three of his GOP colleagues threatened to delay passage of the legislation if they could not get a vote on an amendment. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., then suggested he could hold up the bill’s approval if they did not back down from their opposition.
While the snag caused fears the bill would not pass, hitting U.S. stock indexes just before markets closed Wednesday, it ultimately did not stop the Senate from approving the proposal.
The last delay to the bill Wednesday night came as lawmakers added language requiring the Treasury Department to post on its website information about which companies get loans, according to NBC News
In a letter to colleagues Wednesday night, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the chamber will convene at 9 a.m. ET Friday to consider the legislation. The Maryland Democrat said that “in order to protect the safety” of representatives and staff and “prevent the further spread of COVID-19,” he and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., expect the House will take a voice vote.
“Members who want to come to the House Floor to debate this bill will be able to do so. In addition, we are working to ensure that those who are unable to return to Washington may express their views on this legislation remotely,” he wrote.
House approval would send the package to President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for the agreement negotiated by his Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Senate Republicans and Democrats.
During a White House coronavirus briefing Wednesday, Trump said he would sign the legislation “immediately” after Congress passes it.
Lawmakers already approved two pieces of legislation to respond to the crisis: $8.3 billion in emergency medical funding and $100 billion to expand paid leave and unemployment insurance — both of which were dwarfed by the scope of the third package.
As the pandemic rips through the country, senators signaled they may need to provide more relief. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whose home state of New York has been ravaged by the outbreak more than any other part of the country, told reporters the “odds are high” Congress will need to pass more measures.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/senate-passes-2-trillion-coronavirus-stimulus-package.html