The Senate will vote Wednesday on a $104 billion coronavirus funding measure passed earlier by the House as lawmakers begin crafting a much larger stimulus package for small businesses and workers.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, announced the vote Wednesday morning and also established informal rules that would allow all 100 senators to vote while maintaining the recommended social distancing to avoid the threat of the coronavirus.
McConnell said he’ll hold votes open for a half hour and urged lawmakers to avoid group conversations in the chamber.
“We want to avoid congregating here in the well,” McConnell said. “I would encourage our colleagues to come and vote and depart the chamber so we don’t have gaggles of conversation on the floor.”
McConnell said the House bill would merely be an interim step — a much bigger stimulus measure is coming soon, he said.
“I will not adjourn the Senate until we have passed a far bolder package that must include significant relief for small businesses and others,” McConnell said.
Some Republicans object to the House package because they believe small businesses cannot financially support the unpaid sick leave provisions.
McConnell said he would vote for the House bill, suggesting his support is conditioned on the prospect of a much bigger package to help small businesses.
“This is the worst time in living memory to pile more burdens and costs on small businesses, who are fighting to stay alive, unless we back it up with major assistance,” McConnell said. “They need help, they need a lifeline, they need to know Congress is aware of the historic obstacles they are facing, and that we have their backs as well.”
The vote on the House bill was scheduled for last night, but Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, blocked quick consideration in order to force a vote Wednesday on an amendment he authored that would, among other things, end U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and provide President Trump with the authority to transfer funds.
