Democrats secure $60B set-aside for vulnerable small businesses in latest relief package

Democrats secured more federal aid for coronavirus testing, hospitals, and underserved small businesses who have struggled to get relief loans, a partial victory in seeking concessions from Republicans after two weeks of bargaining amid the pandemic.

In addition to winning $100 billion for hospitals and testing, Congressional Democrats negotiated an additional fenced-off $60 billion for smaller financial institutions and community-based lenders in the hopes of ensuring that vulnerable small businesses and underserved communities seeking aid were not left behind.