The Senate looks likely to vote on the House-passed coronavirus relief package today. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell cancelled this week's scheduled recess to focus on passing funding for the outbreak. In a press conference, McConnell told reporters he is advising his members to "gag and vote for it anyway."
He also said they would pass the bill as-is, and they will not add any provisions. What’s in that bill? The House bill provides up to ten days of paid leave for some workers and bolsters unemployment insurance. But that may well not be enough – and the White House is looking to push through a stimulus plan totally nearly $1-trillion.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says the White House thinks the solution is to flood the struggling economy with money. As in, he says the administration is "looking at sending checks to Americans immediately." Mnuchin said the House and Senate should move on the plan right away – which would reportedly include $1-thousand checks for just about everyone. Bernie Sanders thinks it should be $2-thousand.
Meantime, Mnuchin was pressed about the ongoing turmoil on Wall Street. He said the administration aims to keep financial markets open. Mnuchin stressed that people need to have access to their money. He said it may be necessary to shorten trading hours at some point. Speaking of which, Mnuchin also says next month's tax filing deadline (on April 15th) could be delayed for up to 90 days.
Source: NBC News
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