Congress has announced agreement on a $2 trillion economic relief package for the effects of COVID-19. Most households will get a relief check, and unemployment insurance has been greatly expanded.
The Senate reached a deal on a massive $2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue package that provides direct cash payments, unemployment aid, small business loans and help for impacted industries.
The money is far less than the $4 billion some Democrats had wanted. It would allow states to expand mail-in and early voting, online voter registration and help secure in-person voting sites.
NPR global health, economics and politics correspondents recount the latest developments in the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing economic crisis it has caused.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he's secured a provision in the $2 trillion rescue bill that would prohibit the president and others from receiving Treasury loans or investments.
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, about the call from some U.S. officials to begin ending social distancing policies.
The Senate and White House worked through an agreement on a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package early Wednesday morning. The agreement means Congress could be close to passing a deal.
A lawsuit has been filed accusing Sen. Burr of improperly profiting from insider knowledge. Legislation is being introduced in the House that would ban lawmakers from trading any individual stocks.
NPR's Noel King talks to David Wessel of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institute about the agreement announced early Wednesday morning on the massive emergency relief package.