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Lawmakers Struggle to Approve Additional Coronavirus Funding

Katherine Gypson

   WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate failed Thursday to pass additional funding
   to help struggling American workers dealing with the impact of the
   coronavirus. The attempt came less than two weeks after U.S. lawmakers
   passed the largest economic relief package in the country's history.

   The measure advanced by Senate Republicans would provide an additional
   $250 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a $350 billion
   program that is part of the broader Coronavirus Aid, Relief and
   Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act.

   That $2.2 trillion rescue package was quickly written and passed by
   Congress late last month, as businesses nationwide dealt with the
   economic fallout of coronavirus stay-at-home orders.

   Congressional Democrats blocked the latest attempt, arguing Senate
   Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had not sufficiently consulted with
   them regarding the quarter-billion-dollar increase. Republicans in turn
   blocked Democrats' attempt to increase aid for hospitals and local
   governments dealing with the fallout of the crisis.

   Lawmakers will get another chance to negotiate the increase Monday when
   the Senate returns for a pro forma session. Until then, House Speaker
   Nancy Pelosi said she had no plans to negotiate with Republicans and
   Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin over the Easter holiday weekend.

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