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White House, Congress get closer on $450B virus aid talks
Source: Associated Press
White House, Congress get closer on $450B virus aid talks
By ANDREW TAYLOR and LISA MASCARO
April 20, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration and Congress indicated Monday they were working toward agreement on a coronavirus aid package the Senate could take up as soon as Tuesday, with more than $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that’s out of money, help for hospitals and virus testing.
The Senate missed a potential deadline Monday and frustrations are mounting, but the emerging draft measure — originally designed as an interim step aimed at replenishing payroll subsidies for smaller businesses — has grown into the second largest of the four coronavirus response bills so far.
The emerging agreement, nearly double President Donald Trump’s request to replenish the small business program, adds funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing.
Trump was has been among those offering optimistic assessments, saying “we are very close to a deal” during a White House briefing Sunday.
But the timeline for a deal wasn’t immediately clear. The Senate met for a brief pro forma session Monday afternoon that could have provided a window to act on the upcoming measure under fast-track procedures requiring unanimous consent to advance legislation, but the measure wasn’t ready in time.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., set up another Senate session for Tuesday in hopes an agreement will be sealed and written up by then.
-snip-
By ANDREW TAYLOR and LISA MASCARO
April 20, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration and Congress indicated Monday they were working toward agreement on a coronavirus aid package the Senate could take up as soon as Tuesday, with more than $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that’s out of money, help for hospitals and virus testing.
The Senate missed a potential deadline Monday and frustrations are mounting, but the emerging draft measure — originally designed as an interim step aimed at replenishing payroll subsidies for smaller businesses — has grown into the second largest of the four coronavirus response bills so far.
The emerging agreement, nearly double President Donald Trump’s request to replenish the small business program, adds funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing.
Trump was has been among those offering optimistic assessments, saying “we are very close to a deal” during a White House briefing Sunday.
But the timeline for a deal wasn’t immediately clear. The Senate met for a brief pro forma session Monday afternoon that could have provided a window to act on the upcoming measure under fast-track procedures requiring unanimous consent to advance legislation, but the measure wasn’t ready in time.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., set up another Senate session for Tuesday in hopes an agreement will be sealed and written up by then.
-snip-
Read more: https://apnews.com/d4706859faf64bf3abd73419933c8ea2
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