Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set up a special pro forma Senate session Tuesday after Democrats continued to hold up a massive small-business aid package.
“At this hour, our Democratic colleagues are still prolonging their discussions with the administration, so the Senate, regretfully, will not be able to pass more funding for American paychecks today,” the Kentucky Republican said during the Senate’s Monday pro forma session. “However, since this is so urgent, I’ve asked that the Senate meet again tomorrow in a new session that was not previously scheduled.”
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Lawmakers have spent days negotiating a new small-business aid package after a $350 billion fund ran dry.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin initially asked for $250 billion to replenish the program, but Democrats blocked that bill, insisting on more spending for hospitals, local governments, and coronavirus testing.
Mnuchin told CNN on Sunday that the deal will include $300 billion for small-business aid, $75 billion for hospitals and medical facilities, and $25 billion for states to invest in coronavirus testing.
Republicans said on Monday that Democrats have been pushing to add more onto the spending package and that that has slowed down progress on a deal.
McConnell urged Democrats to approve a package. The money allows small businesses to stay afloat during the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
“It’s past time to get this done for the country,” McConnell said.
