US Senate approves historic $2 trillion stimulus deal amid growing coronavirus fears

The Senate overwhelmingly passed a massive stimulus package late Wednesday night meant to soften the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic for American workers and businesses.

The bill includes billions of dollars in credit for struggling industries, a significant boost to unemployment insurance and direct cash payments to Americans. The fate of the bill now rests with the House, which House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said would not vote until Friday.

A small group of senators opposed to an unemployment funding provision for out-of-work Americans in the $2 trillion bill failed to get enough support for a change, clearing the way for the Senate to pass the emergency measure aimed at propping up an economy severely wounded by the coronavirus pandemic.

The amendment, offered by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., did not reach the 60 vote threshold. It failed 48-48 largely along party lines.

The final vote was passed 96-0.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a speech shortly after midnight Thursday he was proud that the bill passed with bipartisanship, noting that it came weeks after President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.

“From arguably the most partisan, divisive, thing you could possibly do to coming together entirely, 100 of us, to meet this challenge, I think, says a lot about the United States Senate as an institution, our willingness to put aside our differences and to do something really significant for the country,” he said.

Shortly afterward, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said despite the late-night haggling and debates he believed the historic bill would get across the finish line.

“This is a good ending. Twists and turns were enormous, there were some down moments, but those of you who kept asking are we going to get a bill, I always had faith we would. Because America and the American people demanded it,” he said.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, hailed the bill but chided the Senate in a speech shortly after midnight Thursday, saying the chamber should not take a scheduled 30-day recess. Senators should instead stay and work on what he called Phase Four of coronavirus relief legislation, he said.

“Because if there’s one thing about this crisis that we’ve already seen is that new challenges pop up every day, every minute, every hour,” he said. “And yet we’re going to go on recess for almost a month. Don’t understand this. I don’t agree with it.”

House Democratic leaders said that they need to see bill text and review the package before deciding whether to take it up or when.

“The Senate is going to stand together, act together, and pass this historic relief package today,” he said, addressing the chamber around noon on Wednesday. “Struggling Americans are going to go to their mailboxes and find four-figure checks to help with their bills. Why? Because the Senate stepped up.”

Earlier Wednesday, Schumer said that while the bill was “far from perfect,” it had “improved significantly to warrant its quick consideration and passage.”

Overnight, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told reporters that President Donald Trump would “absolutely” sign it if Congress passes it.

Trump praised the legislation at the White House coronavirus briefing Wednesday night.

“I encourage the House to pass this vital legislation and send the bill to my desk for a signature without delay. I will sign it immediately,” Trump said. (NBC News)

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