The Senate is under tremendous pressure to send President Donald Trump a bill passed by the House to help Americans deal with the coronavirus outbreak, but complaints from a few GOP lawmakers and technical snags could delay action for up to several days.
The package providing free virus testing and paid sick leave for many workers is almost certain to pass this week, though Senate rules allow any one senator to delay a final vote for days. The bill, which overwhelmingly passed the House early Saturday morning, is running into resistance from some Republicans worried about the impact of a temporary paid sick leave provision on small businesses.
It’s unclear when the Senate will vote on the virus bill. The chamber is set to debate a surveillance measure, and it would take the permission of all 100 senators to address the virus bill early in the week.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that the administration is trying to allay concerns about the legislation, which is aimed at blunting some of the economic impact for workers and families as the coronavirus outbreak spreads in the U.S.
“We are hearing feedback that certain small businesses are concerned about the burden of this. We were very focused, we need to get the money to people quickly,” he said on the “Fox News Sunday” program. “We don’t want them to have to deal with big bureaucracy.”
He said the Senate should pass the bill but said if there are objections, “we’ll work with the Senate on whatever minor changes we need,” he said.
Trump has already given his blessing to the legislation. Vice President Mike Pence reiterated on Sunday the White House wants to see the Senate work quickly to get it to the president’s desk when the chamber returns to Washington this week.
“We strongly support the House legislation,” Pence said at a White House briefing. “Working with members of Congress, we’ve made sure that not only is testing free but we have every confidence that the extension of paid and family leave to Americans will be extended in a way that should give every American that confidence.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell canceled the chamber’s scheduled recess this week to take up the package, which includes free testing for everyone who needs it, and up to 12 weeks of paid sick and family leave to allow people with the virus to stay home from work and avoid infecting co-workers, or care for a family member or children whose schools have been closed.
It also includes enhanced jobless benefits, increased food aid for children, senior citizens and food banks, and higher funding for Medicaid benefits.