03/26/2020

Senate Back on Track to Vote on Massive Coronavirus Package

COVID-19 is posing serious economic threats

The Senate is on track to pass a mammoth $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package Wednesday evening after leaders agreed to an amendment vote aimed at appeasing a small group of GOP senators, overcoming a last-minute hurdle that had delayed quick passage of the bipartisan deal.

Senate leaders were hoping to vote earlier on the legislation, which will deliver much-needed emergency aid to nearly every sector across the U.S., including $1,200 checks to many Americans. But the timeline slipped after Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) opposed speedy consideration of the measure over concerns it would encourage employees to be laid off instead of working.

At issue is language surrounding beefed-up unemployment insurance, which they say would allow workers to be paid more on unemployment than what they were making while employed.

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