Coronavirus Bailout: Senate Passes $104 Billion Relief Package For Sick Leave, Free Testing

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved and sent to the president a bill that provides for sick leave, aid to states and food assistance to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus as they contemplated a $1.3 trillion package proposed by the White House.

The Senate voted 90-8 to approve the $104 billion bill forwarded by the House on Saturday before getting to work on the administration proposal, which includes $500 billion in direct payments to taxpayers. The eight negative votes were all from Republicans.

“The Senate’s going to stay in session until we finish phase three, the next bill, and send it over to the House,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged.

The action came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. numbered at least 7,323 with at least 115 deaths. Life across the U.S. has come to a virtual standstill to limit the spread of the virus, which has infected nearly 215,000 worldwide and killed at least 8,732.

McConnell said lawmakers are moving quickly on the White House aid package “because the situation demands it.” A vote could come as early as the weekend.

“I feel good about where we are,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said, adding McConnell had asked senators to submit ideas by Thursday morning.

“There are a lot of steps along the way here, but I think everybody has the motivation to get to a solution as quickly as possible,” Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said. “There are lots of wheels in motion — hopefully driving in the right direction.”

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned lawmakers Tuesday the unemployment rate could reach 20% if no action is taken. President Trump labeled that prediction a worst-case scenario.

The White House plan is the third in a series of actions. Congress approved an $8.3 billion emergency healthcare plan earlier this month.

McConnell has urged colleagues not to congregate on the Senate floor and to leave the chamber as soon as they cast a vote to practice the social-distancing recommendations suggested by health officials. He created three task forces to craft the phase three measure and said lawmakers were close to reaching agreement.

The bill passed Wednesday provides for free diagnostic testing for COVID-19 and 10 days of paid sick leave for some workers. It also expands unemployment benefits and food aid.

The measure faced fierce opposition from several Senate Republicans, whom McConnell admonished, saying it was no time to seek perfection. He agreed, however, the bill had shortcomings. The Senate shot down three amendments, including one from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., which would have paid for the measure by ending the war in Afghanistan.

Separately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. tried to reassure Americans banks are the safest place to keep their money and advised them to ignore scams aimed at getting depositors to transfer their funds.