National news outlets report House passes $484 billion coronavirus relief bill
May 4, 2020
The House of Representatives, on Thursday April 23 passed, a $484 billion coronavirus relief bill in a lopsided 388-5 vote. The Senate approved the package on Tuesday, and President Trump was expected to quickly sign it. The deal provides $310 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses continue paying employees as the coronavirus crisis shuts down much of the economy.The package also includes $60 billion for a separate emergency loan and grant program involving small banks in rural and urban areas, $75 billion for hospitals and health-care providers, and $25 billion for coronavirus testing. Republicans had pushed to fund just Trump’s request for $250 billion for the small business loan program, but Democrats insisted on adding money for hospitals and testing.