Coronavirus Relief: House Set To Vote On $484 Billion Pandemic Aid Bill

With plans to set up proxy voting scuttled amid Republican objections, members of the House headed back to Washington Thursday ahead of a vote on the latest $484 billion coronavirus relief package, which would add $320 billion to the small business paycheck protection program and provide $100 billion for hospitals and testing programs.

The measure is the fourth since the COVID-19 pandemic began ravaging the country. As of Thursday morning, more than 842,600 infections had been confirmed in the U.S., leading to nearly 47,000 deaths.

The Senate approved the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act on Tuesday after more than a week of wrangling. Republicans wanted to bolster the paycheck protection program by itself, but Democrats demanded funds to help hard-pressed hospitals and provide for expanded testing, which is needed to keep the pandemic in check.

The Small Business Administration paycheck loan program ran out of funds last Thursday, less than two weeks after banks began accepting applications.

The Democrats also wanted funds for state and local governments and enhancements to food programs but deferred those demands. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other governors said $500 billion in state aid is needed.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he’s not inclined to provide bailouts to states and suggested they consider bankruptcy to get out from under crushing pension fund obligations. With the budget deficit already on track to top $4 trillion, McConnell, R-Ky., said it’s time to tap the brakes.

Congress already has approved more than $2.5 trillion in emergency spending, including a massive $2.2 trillion measure approved March 27.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had hoped to hold Thursday’s scheduled vote by allowing proxies on the House floor, which would have allowed lawmakers to designate colleagues to cast votes on their behalf. Conservatives, many advocating for a loosening of social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, likened that to abdicating constitutional responsibilities.

“Congress is essential,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters, saying he is confidence lawmakers could maintain safe distances. “The American public needs to see that we’re working. The American public has to understand that we could do it in a safe manner, so states and others could begin to open, as well.”

Pelosi told reporters earlier this week she’s not sure bringing everyone back to Washington, ending the recess, is the right thing to do, saying it would place a burden on all those who support lawmakers’ activities, including building maintenance staff.

“We care about them, but we also care about the people they go home to, their children in families, as well,” she said Tuesday.

Both the House and Senate were scheduled to reconvene May 4, a day before the Washington, D.C., stay-at-home order is set to expire.