Apr 09 The fight over the next coronavirus aid package, explained By Lisa Desjardins Less than two weeks after passing the largest recovery act in U.S. history, leaders in Washington have quickly agreed that the $2.2 trillion measure was not enough. Continue reading
Apr 08 Congress headed toward showdown over virus aid By Lisa Mascaro, Jill Colvin, Associated Press The next potential coronavirus aid package is taking shape as President Donald Trump seeks $250 billion for small businesses and Democrats propose adding another $250 billion for small communities, protective gear and food stamps. The question now is whether Congress… Continue reading
Apr 03 Watch 6:25 Schumer on keeping pandemic's recession from becoming a depression As millions of Americans find themselves suddenly unemployed and unsure that they can pay their bills, many are desperately awaiting federal aid. But are state and local governments able to deliver the trillions of dollars Congress and President Trump have… Continue watching
Apr 01 Democrats proposing commission to study U.S. pandemic response By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press House Democrats are drafting legislation that would create a bipartisan commission to study the U.S. government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, modeled on one that examined the 9/11 attacks. Continue reading
Mar 28 Hawks no more: Fiscal conservatives embrace rescue package By Steve Peoples, Associated Press Republicans who have spent the past decade howling about the danger of ballooning deficits embraced the coronavirus rescue package approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, shrugging off past concerns about spending in the face of a public… Continue reading
Mar 27 Watch 9:26 House passes largest economic relief package in history after voting drama The House of Representatives returned to D.C. Friday to approve the largest economic relief package in U.S. history. Bipartisan agreement over the bill reflected lawmakers’ recognition of urgent need amid the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, governors continued to plead for more… Continue watching
Mar 27 Trump signs $2.2 trillion stimulus after swift congressional votes By Andrew Taylor, Alan Fram, Laurie Kellman, Darlene Superville, Associated Press Acting with unity and resolve unseen since the 9/11 attacks, Washington moved urgently to stem an economic free fall caused by widespread restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus that have shuttered schools, closed businesses and brought American… Continue reading
Mar 27 House plan on $2.2 trillion virus relief bill hits last-minute snag By Andrew Taylor, Alan Fram, Laurie Kellman, Associated Press House leaders' plan for swift action on a $2.2 trillion package to ease the coronavirus pandemic's devastating toll on the U.S. economy and health care system has run into complications. A maverick conservative lawmaker has threatened to delay passage until… Continue reading
Mar 26 Watch 4:48 Trump says he's eager to sign economic relief bill into law President Trump’s Coronavirus Task Force held another news briefing on Thursday evening, at which Trump reiterated his desire to sign the Senate’s new pandemic economic aid package into law. But Trump continues to differ from state governments and health officials… Continue watching
Mar 26 Coronavirus pandemic upends rules of partisan politics in Washington By Daniel Bush In responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Republicans and Democrats in Congress have found themselves in the unfamiliar position of confronting a crisis that does not fall along partisan lines. Continue reading