Congress Hits Roadblock on Coronavirus Stimulus

The U.S. Senate failed to move past procedural votes on a third emergency legislative package to address the Coronavirus and its impacts on the U.S. economy. The proposed stimulus package, which totaled almost $2 trillion, would direct $1,200 to most American workers, with an additional $500 going to each child of those families. The proposal would also create a $500 billion lending program for businesses, cities and states administered by the U.S. Treasury, and another $350 billion to help small businesses meet payroll costs. Some Senate Democrats have expressed concerns over the $500 billion funding program citing that it could function as a "slush fund" for the administration to provide large corporations a government bailout with limited oversight, while not providing the needed fiscal resources for local governments and small business to properly rebound from the economic damages created by the pandemic. Senate Democrats have pledged to continue to look for additional protections for workers, as they fear that companies receiving bailout money could still fire their employees and pocket the taxpayer assistance. Experts have cited that there's little precedent for such a program with a similar size and/or scope.

While the Senate is expected to continue to negotiate the coronavirus aid package this week, there are also continued calls for Congress to explore its options for remote voting during the coronavirus outbreak, as Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who has been in contact with other Senators as early as this weekend, has tested positive for COVID-19. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has largely not supported these calls, the continued health of Members of Congress will largely dictate the Congressional schedule, not only in the coming weeks, but also over the next couple of months.