Congress passes $2 trillion coronavirus assistance package in voice vote Friday
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $2 trillion relief package Friday, intended to boost businesses and provide assistance for out-of-work Americans as the novel coronavirus continues to spread through the country.
The bill passed the Senate earlier this week, with regional lawmakers touting provisions assisting schools, day care centers and small businesses. Democrats have signaled that they want an additional relief package in the coming weeks, which would be the fourth piece of major legislation passed by Congress addressing skyrocketing unemployment numbers and beleaguered hospitals prepping for an influx of sick patients.
The House voted through a procedure that did not require all lawmakers to be present in the chamber. There had been some speculation late Thursday that at least one member, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, would ask for a recorded vote, which would have delayed passage of the bill. President Donald Trump targeted Massie on Twitter, calling for the Republican party to oust him should he derail the package.
The bill will provide direct payments of up to $1,200 for American taxpayers. It also includes money to back bank loans to small businesses that have been forced to shutter due to health guidance calling for people to distance themselves from others to thwart the spread of the highly infectious virus.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers released a statement Friday calling the package a necessary step toward recovery.
“This third package, which just passed the House, will provide fast relief to those who need it most in Eastern Washington, provide $350 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll levels, support distressed sectors of the economy to prevent massive job losses, and expand unemployment assistance,” McMorris Rodgers said in a statement. “It also continues to send much-needed resources to our hospitals and health care providers on the frontline of this crisis.”
Sen. Patty Murray is scheduled to speak with reporters later Friday about the aid package, as well.