The $484 billion coronavirus relief package approved by Congress includes $100 billion that Democrats sought for hospitals and more testing.
Updated at 7:00 p.m. ET
"We have our differences, but we are coming together on this particular bill, and I am proud of that," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, who made the case for ongoing, robust federal intervention as the only way out of the crisis. Pelosi wore a white scarf to cover her face, but lowered it to speak on the House floor.
"It's unfortunate that Speaker Pelosi decided to hold up this bill more than a week while small businesses and their workers desperately fought to hold on, especially minority-owned businesses in underserved communities," said Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas,"They suffered, and during this unnecessary delay America's jobless numbers climbed to 26 million."
In the end, Democrats secured an additional $60 billion carve out for smaller banks to assist businesses, many minority-owned, that have struggled to borrow from bigger lenders. It also includes $100 billion Democrats sought for hospitals and more testing. Members were directed to vote in smaller groups broken down by alphabetical order for each vote. Between floor speeches and votes, lawmakers were asked to stay in their offices. And members were asked to vote by machine and not a manual card that requires more contact. Short recesses were held between debates and votes to clean the chamber.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Senate passes coronavirus relief bill, which Trump is expected to signSenate passes nearly $500B interim funding deal which includes additional funds for the small business loan program, hospitals and testing; measure moves to the House.
Read more »
House Passes $484 Billion In Coronavirus Relief For Small Businesses, Hospitals And TestingThe House on Tuesday overwhelming passed legislation on Thursday that will inject hundreds of billions more into a small business loan program. The vote was 388 to 5 on the legislation, with a tota…
Read more »
Today in Feminist History: Suffrage Referendum Passes in Pennsylvania (April 22, 1919)Keystone State suffragists have never lacked determination, and today their persistence paid off, as the Pennsylvania House passed a bill—by an almost two-to-one margin—to put a suffrage referendum on the State ballot in 1921.
Read more »
$500 billion coronavirus aid package passes U.S. Senate, headed to HouseThe U.S. Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved $484 billion in fresh relief for the U.S. economy and hospitals hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, sending the measure to the House of Representatives for final passage later this week.
Read more »
Lebanon passes legislation legalizing medical marijuana cultivation as economy struggles amid coronavirus falloutRecreational use and cultivation of cannabis will remain illegal, but the country aims to build a legal industry for medicinal and industrial purposes.
Read more »
House passes $484 billion coronavirus stimulus for small businesses and hospitals, sends bill to TrumpThe $484 billion measure offers funds for the Paycheck Protection Program and sends more money to hospitals struggling because of the coronavirus.
Read more »