Senate headed for partisan clash Thursday on urgent small business aid package

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday will try to pass a $250 billion small business relief bill quickly through the Senate without debate or a roll call vote, he announced, ignoring demands by Democrats to increase the scope and cost of the bill.

“I hope none of my colleagues object to my request for these urgently-needed funds. There is no reason why this bipartisan job-saving program should be held hostage for other priorities,” McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said in a statement posted on Twitter. “Let’s re-fund the only program that’s already running dry and keep moving forward together.”