The upper chamber will follow the House's lead and send the proposal to President Donald Trump's desk, the Senate majority leader said.
The Kentucky Republican said that although some of his members fear the bill could exacerbate the strain put on businesses amid reduced economic activity that has resulted from the coronavirus pandemic, the chamber will follow the House's lead and send the proposal to President Donald Trump's desk.
"A number of my members think there are considerable shortcomings in the House bill," he said."My counsel to them is to gag and vote for it anyway, even if they think it has shortcomings." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell holds a March 17 press briefing about legislation in response to the coronavirus outbreak.The Democratic-led House passed the bipartisan legislation, which is backed by the president and came to fruition after negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mnuchin, early Saturday morning. It's yet to be determined when the Senate will hold a vote.
The legislation would give workers of businesses with less than 500 employees up to two weeks of paid sick leave, in addition to up to three months of paid family and medical leave; free coronavirus testing; food aid; unemployment insurance; and increased federal funding for Medicaid.
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