Officials believe they will reach a deal before the end of day Tuesday.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Senate leaders believe that they will reach a deal today on a $2 trillion measure meant to provide aid and lift economic pressure on Americans during the coronavirus outbreak.
The package is expected to include aid for medical companies and hospitals, as well as rebates to individual Americans.
On Tuesday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the Senate by saying, “The urgency and the gravity of this moment cannot be lost on anyone. It’s the most serious threat to Americans’ health in over a century and quite likely the greatest risk to America’s jobs and prosperity that we’ve seen since the Great Depression.”
Speaking about the previous day’s negotiations, he said, “It’s taken a lot of noise and a lot of rhetoric to get us here.” He added, “we are very close. We are close to a bill that takes our bold Republican framework, integrates further ideas from both parties, and delivers huge progress.”
The Senate is planning to vote late on Tuesday. Congress is racing against time as some congressional leaders have tested positive for the coronavirus. There is no precedent or provision for Congress to pass legislation remotely. If more lawmakers are quarantined, both chambers of Congress may be forced into recess and would likely be unable to move on any further bills.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For God to direct the decisions of administration official and Senate leaders.
- For those who are in authority to do what is in the best interest of the nation.
- For the senators who have removed themselves from the voting procedure due to self-quarantine, and whether an emergency provision for online voting could be established.
Sources: AP News, The Hill, Washington Post
