Senate Reaches Deal on Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Bill
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
The Senate passed a massive $2 trillion economic stimulus bill just after midnight on Wednesday to bolster businesses and families that are struggling to deal with the consequences of the China coronavirus.
Fox News reports:
The bipartisan breakthrough in the Senate capped days of heated negotiations that had nearly been derailed by last-minute demands from House Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reacted to the bill.
At last, we have a deal.
After days of intense discussions, the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic.
We’re going to pass this legislation later today.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) March 25, 2020
We have a bipartisan agreement to address this public health and economic crisis
It is not a moment of celebration but one of necessity
We fought to send much-needed resources to fight coronavirus and to put people and workers first
The agreement now reflects those priorities pic.twitter.com/yORkeCoMsl
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 25, 2020
The bill allows the federal government to distribute $1,200 checks to families depending on their income level.
Also, the bill provides a $367 billion loan program for small businesses and sets up $500 billion for loans for corporations, cities, and states.
Hospitals will receive $130 billion and the bill significantly boosts unemployment benefits.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was lukewarm about the deal, saying to reporters, “We’re optimistic but we’ll see.”
President Trump supports the bill but it needs to be approved by the House of Representatives before it’s sent to his desk.
Despite the rescue package size, it’s only a temporary fix for the economy and the public is eager to find out when the U.S. will be open for business.
During a Fox News virtual town hall this week, President Trump discussed the economy and said Americans “…don’t want to be locked in a house or an apartment or some space,” and wants “…the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter.”
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
President Trump says that he would love to have the country opened up and running again by Easter.
Bill Hemmer adds that it would be a “Great American Resurrection”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 24, 2020
President Trump’s desire to take the muzzle off of America’s economic engine was criticized.
Dr. Zeke Emanuel, an ObamaCare advisor, criticized President Trump.
Dr. Zeke Emanuel warns against the consequences of 're-opening the country' prematurely.
“You can’t minimize the economic damage until we actually get our arms around this public health emergency.” https://t.co/9qYSLo3pqx— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 25, 2020
Democrat 2020 presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden criticized President Trump, saying, “…it’s frustrating to hear this president speak.”
"We did not act when we should have acted," Joe Biden says in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have to focus on people's health. Listen to the scientists."
"We haven't even flattened the curve out … it's frustrating to hear this president speak."https://t.co/AX7RztEiDM
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 25, 2020
While progress is being made at the federal level, state governors and local officials are dealing with the crisis in a diverse manner.
Governor Andrew Cuomo used his mother as an example to urge the continuation of the New York state lockdown that puts lives before the potential economic cost.
Nevada Democrat Governor Steve Sisolak issued a ban of the anti-Malaria drugs that have shown some preliminary positive results for coronavirus patients.
The New York Post reports:
Sisolak said there was no consensus among experts or Nevada doctors that the drugs can treat people with COVID-19.
Following the Senate vote expected today, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill on Thursday.