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US Senate Fails Again to Advance Massive Coronavirus Aid Bill

VOA News

   Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven
   Mnuchin say they hope a deal on a $2 trillion economic aid package can
   be reached Tuesday.

   They held talks until late into the night Mondayafter the Senate failed
   for a second time to advancea bill that wouldsend money to most
   Americans and many businesses that have been severely impacted by the
   deadly coronavirus.'¯'¯'¯

   Republican and Democratic leaders have exchanged sharp words as the
   process unfolded in recent days, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch
   McConnell accusing Democrats of delaying the process by asking for
   changes to the bill and Schumer saying McConnell wasted time by
   bringing two procedural votes on the measure he knew would fail.

   Democrats first blocked advancing the aid package on Sunday. After more
   negotiations Sunday night and Monday morning,theyagain voted against
   moving the legislation forward on Mondayafternoon, triggering the fresh
   talks between Schumer and Mnuchin, with a phone call to President
   Donald Trump.

   The aid packageis aimed at boosting the U.S. economy by sending direct
   payments to more than 90% of Americans and a vast array of U.S.
   businesses to help them weather the immediate and burgeoning economic
   effects of the coronavirus.'¯'¯

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