WASHINGTON, March 24 ― A far-reaching coronavirus economic stimulus package remained stalled in the US Senate yesterday as Democrats said it contained too little money for states and hospitals and not enough restrictions on a fund to help big businesses. A 49-46 vote left the US$2 trillion...
A worker in protective clothing tests a person in a car at a testing center for Covid-19 at Riverside Medical Group in Secaucus, New Jersey March 18, 2020. — Reuters pic
Congress has already passed legislation to blunt the economic toll of the pandemic that has killed more than 550 people in the United States and sickened more than 43,800, thrown millions out of work and led state governors to order nearly a third of the nation's population to stay at home. Democrats said they were close to an agreement with Republicans. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said a modified version of the legislation could pass on Monday. But they insisted it needed to include more oversight provisions for a US$500 billion fund to help large businesses.But the Senate's No 2 Republican, John Thune, told reporters when asked if he thought there would be a deal on Monday night: “It doesn’t look like it at the moment. But you know, I hope I’m wrong.
The Senate measure includes financial aid for ordinary Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, such as airlines. Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi released her own version, which would add billions of dollars to help states conduct elections by mail.
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