Senate passes $484 billion coronavirus bill for small business and hospital relief, testing

The Senate on Tuesday passed a $484 billion package to bolster small businesses and hospitals ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic and expand testing for Covid-19.

After the unanimous Senate vote, the bill heads to the House, which aims to approve it by Thursday.

The measure injects another $310 billion into a key loan program designed to keep employees on small company payrolls. The initial $350 billion in the so-called Paycheck Protection Program, created as part of the $2 trillion rescue package passed last month, dried up last week. It is unclear how many firms have actually received the money.

After the unanimous Senate vote, the bill heads to the House, which aims to approve it by Thursday.

A key piece of information is missing from this #fakenews article.

With Only 6 Members Participating, Senate Passed $483-Billion Spending Bill by ‘Unanimous Consent’

Sen. Lee gave a floor speech reprimanding the Senate for not showing up to do its job.

“We've seen health care providers working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Lee. “We've seen the president and his staff at the White House working 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We've seen the Centers for Disease Control and members of the public health community who have continued to work tirelessly. Farmers and truck drivers and grocery store employees and pharmacists working to make sure that we continue to have access to the things we need in order to live.”

“And yet, Congress is in recess,” he said.

“This, Mr. President, is simply unacceptable,” said Lee. “If COVID-19 requires Congress to act, then it requires Congress to convene.”

Video: It's Time for the Senate to Get Back to Work

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