Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY

A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 17 March 2020

As Congress eyes economic package, Democrats seek $750B

By LISA MASCARO and as J. Donohue.
ALAN FRAM The nation's governors were
WASHINGTON (AP) — With also calling on Congress to
an urgency unseen since swiftly bring economic aid,
the Great Recession, Con- particularly for the unem-
gress is rushing to develop a ployment insurance system
sweeping economic lifeline to help displaced workers,
for American households and fast.
and businesses suddenly "We need a better re-
capsized by the coronavi- sponse from the federal
rus outbreak. government," said Rhode
Democrats said at least Island Gov. Gina Raimon-
$750 billion would be need- do, a Democrat. "I am out
ed. of patience."
"We will need big, bold, Pulling together the new
urgent federal action to package will challenge the
deal with this crisis," Senate basic logistics of governing
Democratic leader Chuck as the Congress itself strug-
Schumer said. gled to adapt to the new
Republicans often reluc- normal.
tant to spend federal dol- House Democrats were
lars did not flinch at the told on a conference call
head-spinning number, as they won't be recalled to
a roster of America's big Washington until the next
and small industries — air- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, listens as Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of package is ready for ac-
lines, hotels, retailers — N.Y., speaks during a news conference, Saturday, March 14, 2020, in New York. tion, according to people
lined up for aid. Associated Press familiar with the call but un-
Senate Majority Leader authorized to discuss it and
Mitch McConnell said he passed aid package ap- $750 billion to boost hospi- istration and Congress on granted anonymity.
wants a "comprehensive" proved early Saturday — tal capacity, unemploy- Monday to act rapidly to The 100-member Senate
approach with "significant with sick pay, free testing ment insurance and other help companies have ac- convened for an evening
steps" for the economy, and emergency food — direct aid for American cess to cash and avert a vote — a potentially stun-
particularly Main Street that is endorsed by Presi- households, businesses and "potentially devastating" hit ning sight of people gath-
businesses. He opened the dent Donald Trump and the health care industry. to the economy. ered. While different au-
Senate on Monday with ready to become law. Republican senators were The request from the U.S. thorities around the country
a message to Americans: But it's stalled, for now, as conferring privately over airlines alone could easily have issued conflicting ad-
"The Senate stands with the Senate waits on the their priorities. top $50 billion, according vice, the government said
you." House for technical cor- The days ahead will test if to Airlines for America, the at a Monday news con-
The rush to inject an infu- rections, while navigating Congress can quickly re- trade group representing ference that Americans
sion of cash and resources its own problems, as some spond to the crisis. the carriers. should not gather in groups
into the economy is an ef- Republican senators pan- Industries representing a "We're going to back the of more than 10 people
fort unlike any since the ning the package want broad swath of the econ- airlines 100%," Trump said over the next 15 days.
2008 economic crisis, with changes. omy are seeking help in at a White House brief- The No. 2 Senate Demo-
political and economic All sides — the House, Sen- withstanding the fallout as ing. "We've told the airlines cratic leader, Dick Durbin
interventions and eye- ate and White House — schools close and Ameri- we're going to help them." of Illinois, counting the num-
popping sums to try to pro- agree the pending bill is cans are being told to stay In a letter to Trump and ber of senators on the floor,
tect Americans from the not the last and not nearly inside, skip nonessential congressional leaders, the questioned what example
health and financial fallout. enough to handle what's travel and avoid gatherings U.S. Chamber of Com- they were setting. He urged
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, coming. At the start of the with 10 people or more. merce called for legislation swift passage of the House
called for sending $1,000 to month Congress approved That means no dining out, including a three-month package. "What are we
every American. $8.3 billion in initial aid. no boarding planes, no cancellation of the taxes waiting for?" he said.
Senators returned to an Trump quickly signed into shopping the malls as a companies pay to support For most people, the new
emptied out U.S. Capi- law the measure, which great national shutdown Social Security, Medicare coronavirus causes only
tol, clear of tourists or col- provided federal agencies sparks business closures, and unemployment insur- mild or moderate symp-
leagues from the House, to money for vaccines, tests layoffs and lost paychecks ance. toms, such as fever and
confront an even more dire and potential treatments, for rents, mortgages and "No family and no business cough. For some, especial-
situation than the one they and to help state and local everyday needs. should go bankrupt just be- ly older adults and people
left for a long weekend, governments respond to The nation's largest busi- cause of the temporary dis- with existing health prob-
before Trump declared a the threat. ness organization, the U.S. ruption in income caused lems, it can cause more se-
national emergency. Schumer floated the Dem- Chamber of Commerce, by the coronavirus," said vere illness, including pneu-
Pending is the House- ocrats' proposal for at least asked the Trump admin- the chamber's CEO, Thom- monia. q