House vote is expected on Friday.
The Senate passed the roughly $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package, moving the bill to the House as Congress works to give families and businesses a financial shield against the coronavirus pandemic.
The passage follows days of contentious partisan wrangling, but the Wednesday night vote was 96-0. After the vote, President Trump tweeted, “96-0 in the United States Senate. Congratulations AMERICA!”
Both sides had considerable misgivings on whether the bill goes far enough, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York predicted there would be another big round of stimulus before long. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave a smile and thumbs upon exiting the chamber.
As the legislation moved to the House of Representatives, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “This bipartisan legislation takes us a long way down the road in meeting the needs of the American people. While the compromise does not go as far as our Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, thanks to the unity and assistance of Senate and House Democrats, the bill has moved a great deal closer to America’s workers.”
A vote is anticipated in the House of Representatives on Friday, although Speaker Pelosi said a unanimous consent vote was a monster in the House, and implied that quick passage in the lower chamber may be unrealistic. She called for members to have at least 24 hours to review the bill once it becomes available.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the House of Representatives as they review the Senate bill and that they will proceed rapidly with a vote.
- For Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy as they shepherd their caucuses through the provisions of the legislation.
- For quick delivery of funds to small businesses and families to help alleviate the economic pressures they are under.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, The Hill
