$2.9 TRILLION VIRUS AID PACKAGE STALLS IN U.S. SENATE.
WASHINGTON • A far-reaching coronavirus economic stimulus package failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on Monday as Democrats said it contained too little money for states and hospitals and not enough restrictions on a fund to help big businesses.
The 49-46 vote left the $2.9-trillion measure short of the 60 votes needed to advance, as the chamber remained deadlocked for a second day. Only one Democrat, Doug Jones of Alabama, voted with Republicans to advance the bill.
Congress has already passed some legislation to blunt the economic toll of the pandemic that has killed at least 506 people in the United States and sickened more than 43,000, leading state governors to order nearly a third of the nation’s population to stay at home and threatening to throw millions out of work.
Tempers frayed as Republicans accused Democrats of obstruction during a national emergency. “The country is burning and your side wants to play political games,” said Republican Senator John Thune.
Democrats said they were close to an agreement with Republicans, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer saying a modified version could pass late on Monday. But they insisted that it needed to include more oversight provisions for a $725 billion fund for large businesses.
“Take a deep breath. We’re gonna pass this bill,” Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said.
After the vote, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the Trump administration’s point person on coronavirus legislation, shuttled in and out of Schumer’s office.
“His folks are hip-deep negotiating with Mnuchin, which is a good sign,” Democratic Senator Chris Coons said.
President Donald Trump’s administration last week launched a major push for action to blunt the market slide caused by the pandemic, after Trump himself spent several weeks dismissing the virus’s risks.
The Senate measure includes financial aid for ordinary Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, including airlines.
Republicans said Democrats were seeking to add unrelated provisions, such as tax credits for wind and solar power and increased leverage for labor unions. Democrats said Republicans were also trying to add provisions that would exclude nonprofit groups from receiving small-business aid, and extend a sexual abstinence-education program.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi released her own version, which would add billions of dollars to help states conduct elections by mail.
Republicans normally hold a slim 53-47 majority in the chamber, but the coronavirus threat has affected their ranks. Republican Senator Rand Paul said he tested positive for the virus on Sunday, and several others have self-quarantined.
Reuters