The Senate passed the $2 trillion emergency relief package Wednesday to address the coronavirus pandemic after continued debate from both parties.
The package passed the Senate 96-0. There were a few minor hiccups earlier in the day Wednesday as Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham held a press conference with a group of Republican Senators to call for an immediate fix to a “life-threatening drafting error” in the coronavirus package.
Graham was joined by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, and Florida Sen. Rick Scott at the press conference to discuss the coronavirus emergency legislation. The presser was first announced in a tweet by Graham, who said they “will discuss a massive drafting error in the current version of the coronavirus relief legislation that could have devastating consequences.”
The group of Senators later agreed to drop procedural issues and let the bill move on in exchange for a vote on an amendment, which failed in a 48-48 vote, before the vote for final passage on the coronavirus package.
Also, Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and 2020 presidential candidate threatened that he will put a hold to the Senate coronavirus package unless there are stronger sanctions on a $500 billion corporate welfare fund. (RELATED: Bernie Threatens Republicans — Says He Might ‘Put A Hold’ To Senate Coronavirus Package)
READ FINAL BILL TEXT HERE:
Final Coronavirus Package Text on Scribd
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-KY) speaks to the media following the weekly Republican caucus luncheon where Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and members of the coronavirus task force briefed senators on March 3, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed early Wednesday morning that a bipartisan deal for a nearly $2 trillion emergency relief package to address the coronavirus pandemic had been reached. He said the deal “will get more equipment to the heroes on the front lines” and that “this is a wartime level of investment.” McConnell also added that “this has been a long week for the Senate,” and that the Senate is “going to pass this legislation later today.” (RELATED: Senate And White House Reach Bipartisan Deal On Nearly $2 Trillion Emergency Relief Package)
The text came out late Wednesday after a bunch of changes were made throughout the day. Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi delayed the passage of the Senate’s coronavirus relief package on Wednesday, as the House was in session for nearly three minutes and then adjourned until Thursday.
The House will now vote on the Senate bill in order to get it to President Donald Trump’s desk so he can sign it into law.
