The White House and Senate leaders of both parties have agreed on sweeping $2 trillion package to aid workers, businesses and a health care system severely strained by the quickly growing coronavirus outbreak.
The historic agreement came after days of often intense negotiating and with pressure increasing on all sides. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the chamber will pass it Wednesday. The unprecedented package would give direct payments to most Americans, expand jobless benefits and provide $367 billion to small businesses. It would also assist local governments.
President Trump said Tuesday he wants the U.S. “opened up” by Easter Sunday despite an acceleration of coronavirus cases across the country. Mr. Trump’s comments came during a town hall on Fox News in which he signaled impatience over the widespread closing of businesses and the resulting economic slowdown. But many health care experts said that would be too soon.
As of late Tuesday night, there were almost 55,000 confirmed cases in the U.S. and more than 780 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for detailed information on coronavirus treatment and prevention. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
