NEWS ALERT: Senate Passes More Stimulus Funding for Small Businesses and Hospitals

The House vote on the package is expected on Thursday.

The Senate voted today for more funding for small businesses and hospitals that have been negatively affected by COVID-19.

After a midnight call Monday night between Democrats and the Trump Administration, the U.S. Senate passed more funding for COVID-19 stimulus programs through a unanimous remote vote this afternoon, including the Paycheck Protection Program that ran out of money last week. The newest package also includes $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for COVID-19 testing.

The package will now go to the House for a vote on Thursday. It is doubtful the House can pass the package by unanimous consent, so lawmakers will have to return to town for Thursday’s vote. 

The Paycheck Protection Program, run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), gave out all of its $350 billion in less than two weeks. The newest package would give the SBA another $300 for the program. The package also adds funds to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for small businesses which is run right out of the SBA.

Other desired funding that was being pushed by some lawmakers, such as money for state governments and support for college students, is not included in the newest package.

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