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| Coronavirus US live: Barr says justice department may join lawsuits against stay home orders | Coronavirus US live: Barr says justice department may join lawsuits against stay home orders |
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| Attorney general says ‘We have to give businesses more freedom to operate in a way that’s reasonably safe,’ days after Trump called for states to be liberated | Attorney general says ‘We have to give businesses more freedom to operate in a way that’s reasonably safe,’ days after Trump called for states to be liberated |
| The Senate has passed the nearly $500 billion coronavirus relief bill, which will allocate $320 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and provide $100 billion for hospitals and testing. | |
| The bill will now advance to the House, which will also attempt to pass the proposal by unanimous consent, and Trump has said he will sign the bill. | |
| However, Republican congressman Thomas Massie has threatened to raise an objection to the unanimous consent proposal, which would force House members to return to Washington to pass the bill. | |
| Two Republican senators, Mike Lee and Rand Paul, raised concerns today about approving the bill by unanimous consent, but they ultimately decided against forcing a recorded vote on the legislation. | |
| Republican senator Rand Paul emphasized that some parts of the country with fewer coronavirus cases will be able to reopen more quickly than other, more hard-hit regions. | |
| “We need to get past a one-size-fits-all approach to infectious disease,” Paul said. | |
| The Republican senator said he had concerns about both the amount of funding in the relief bill and the plan to pass it by unanimous consent. | |
| But Paul said he ultimately decided not to invoke the Senate rules to require a recorded vote on the bill, which would have forced members to return to Washington. | |
| Paul said he chose to deliver his floor speech today so that history would record how “not everyone gave in” to the “massive accumulation of debt” facing the country. | |
| Republican senator Rand Paul has taken the Senate floor to argue that “no amount of money” can save the country from the coronavirus crisis. | |
| “Our only hope of rescuing this country is re-opening the economy,” Paul said. | |
| The Kentucky Republican acknowledged the virus still poses many risks, but he said lawmakers needed to “put those risks in perspective” when it came to considering whether to reopen the economy. | |
| “Today I rise in opposition to spending $500 billion more,” Paul said. | |
| Republican senator Mike Lee criticized the Senate’s efforts to pass a nearly $500 billion by unanimous consent, as many members remain away from Washington due to social distancing guidelines. | Republican senator Mike Lee criticized the Senate’s efforts to pass a nearly $500 billion by unanimous consent, as many members remain away from Washington due to social distancing guidelines. |
| “We cannot do the job for which we were elected without actually being here,” Lee said. “It’s time to return to Washington and get to work.” | “We cannot do the job for which we were elected without actually being here,” Lee said. “It’s time to return to Washington and get to work.” |
| Lee noted the Senate is not currently scheduled to reconvene until May 4. “When we come back on May the 4th ... I hope the Force will be with us,” Lee said, throwing in a “Star Wars” reference at the end of his floor speech. | Lee noted the Senate is not currently scheduled to reconvene until May 4. “When we come back on May the 4th ... I hope the Force will be with us,” Lee said, throwing in a “Star Wars” reference at the end of his floor speech. |
| Senator Mike Lee has now taken the floor, and the Utah Republican said he spoke with a “heavy heart” as he considered the trials of his constituents amid the current crisis. | Senator Mike Lee has now taken the floor, and the Utah Republican said he spoke with a “heavy heart” as he considered the trials of his constituents amid the current crisis. |
| Lee referenced the hard work being done by medical professionals, other frontline workers and parents right now. | Lee referenced the hard work being done by medical professionals, other frontline workers and parents right now. |
| “And yet Congress is in recess,” Lee said, calling lawmakers’ absence from Washington due to social distancing guidelines “simply unacceptable.” | “And yet Congress is in recess,” Lee said, calling lawmakers’ absence from Washington due to social distancing guidelines “simply unacceptable.” |
| “If Covid-19 requires Congress to act, then it requires Congress to convene,” Lee said. | “If Covid-19 requires Congress to act, then it requires Congress to convene,” Lee said. |
| If Lee or any other senator raises an objection to passing the relief bill by unanimous consent, then members will be required to return to Washington to approve the proposal. | If Lee or any other senator raises an objection to passing the relief bill by unanimous consent, then members will be required to return to Washington to approve the proposal. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the country needed to “dramatically” ramp up its coronavirus testing, which this relief bill would help to do. | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the country needed to “dramatically” ramp up its coronavirus testing, which this relief bill would help to do. |
| “We don’t have enough tests,” Schumer said, promising Americans that “help is on the way.” The relief bill under consideration allocates $25 billion to expand testing capacity. | “We don’t have enough tests,” Schumer said, promising Americans that “help is on the way.” The relief bill under consideration allocates $25 billion to expand testing capacity. |
| But Schumer said Democrats were “sorely disappointed” that Republicans had refused to meet their other demands, including more funding for state and local governments. | But Schumer said Democrats were “sorely disappointed” that Republicans had refused to meet their other demands, including more funding for state and local governments. |
| The Democratic leader promised to continue working toward those goals with the next coronavirus relief bill. | The Democratic leader promised to continue working toward those goals with the next coronavirus relief bill. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer accused majority leader Mitch McConnell of having “tried to bypass negotiations” with this coronavirus relief bill. | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer accused majority leader Mitch McConnell of having “tried to bypass negotiations” with this coronavirus relief bill. |
| McConnell originally proposed a $250 billion bill that would have allocated additional funds for the small business loan program known as the Paycheck Protection Program, but Democrats pushed for more money for hospitals and state and local governments as well. | McConnell originally proposed a $250 billion bill that would have allocated additional funds for the small business loan program known as the Paycheck Protection Program, but Democrats pushed for more money for hospitals and state and local governments as well. |
| The final bill under consideration now includes $100 billion for hospitals and testing, but state and local governments were not given additional funding under the legislation. | The final bill under consideration now includes $100 billion for hospitals and testing, but state and local governments were not given additional funding under the legislation. |
| Rand Paul’s office said the Republican senator will soon speak on the Senate floor “regarding the importance of fiscal responsibility.” | Rand Paul’s office said the Republican senator will soon speak on the Senate floor “regarding the importance of fiscal responsibility.” |
| Because the Senate is trying to pass the bill by unanimous consent, a single member can temporarily derail its approval by demanding a full vote, which would force senators to return to Washington. | Because the Senate is trying to pass the bill by unanimous consent, a single member can temporarily derail its approval by demanding a full vote, which would force senators to return to Washington. |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said the nearly $500 billion bill will “potentially” pass in the next few minutes. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said the nearly $500 billion bill will “potentially” pass in the next few minutes. |
| Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell said, “Now let’s just get this done.” | Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell said, “Now let’s just get this done.” |
| The Senate will soon gavel in its pro forma session, where the next coronavirus relief bill is expected to pass by unanimous consent. | The Senate will soon gavel in its pro forma session, where the next coronavirus relief bill is expected to pass by unanimous consent. |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer have just released a statement boasting about how the bill includes $100 billion for hospitals and testing, unlike Republicans’ initial proposal. | House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer have just released a statement boasting about how the bill includes $100 billion for hospitals and testing, unlike Republicans’ initial proposal. |
| “Congressional Democrats are proud to have secured an agreement on an interim emergency funding package that has been transformed to provide real support for the lives and livelihoods of the American people,” the Democratic leaders’ statement read. | “Congressional Democrats are proud to have secured an agreement on an interim emergency funding package that has been transformed to provide real support for the lives and livelihoods of the American people,” the Democratic leaders’ statement read. |
| “Democrats flipped this emergency package from an insufficient Republican plan that left behind hospitals and health and frontline workers and did nothing to aid the survival of the most vulnerable small businesses on Main Street.” | “Democrats flipped this emergency package from an insufficient Republican plan that left behind hospitals and health and frontline workers and did nothing to aid the survival of the most vulnerable small businesses on Main Street.” |
| New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said earlier today that “the first thing” his city will do when Covid-19 is beaten will be to stage a ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes at the bottom of Broadway – just below the Guardian office, as it happens – to honour the first responders and healthcare workers who have battled against the virus. | New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said earlier today that “the first thing” his city will do when Covid-19 is beaten will be to stage a ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes at the bottom of Broadway – just below the Guardian office, as it happens – to honour the first responders and healthcare workers who have battled against the virus. |
| “The day is coming where we will overcome this disease,” de Blasio said. “When that day comes that we can restart the vibrant, beautiful life of this city, the first thing we will do is have a ticker-tape parade. We will honor those who saved us.” | “The day is coming where we will overcome this disease,” de Blasio said. “When that day comes that we can restart the vibrant, beautiful life of this city, the first thing we will do is have a ticker-tape parade. We will honor those who saved us.” |
| It would, one supposes, be one way to spend precious resources in a city stretched to the limit by the outbreak and where more than 14,600 people have died. But not necessarily the most popular way. | It would, one supposes, be one way to spend precious resources in a city stretched to the limit by the outbreak and where more than 14,600 people have died. But not necessarily the most popular way. |
| All non-essential events in New York City are currently cancelled through June, by order of de Blasio himself, so if a parade does happen, it won’t be soon. | All non-essential events in New York City are currently cancelled through June, by order of de Blasio himself, so if a parade does happen, it won’t be soon. |
| The news does provide an excuse, however, to include a picture of the last such ticker-tape parade, which was held for the US women’s football team last year, after they won the World Cup. De Blasio attended: | The news does provide an excuse, however, to include a picture of the last such ticker-tape parade, which was held for the US women’s football team last year, after they won the World Cup. De Blasio attended: |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell urged fellow senators to support the interim coronavirus relief bill, which was just released and is expected to pass by unanimous consent this afternoon. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell urged fellow senators to support the interim coronavirus relief bill, which was just released and is expected to pass by unanimous consent this afternoon. |
| “I welcome this bipartisan agreement and hope the Senate will quickly pass it once members have reviewed the final text,” the Kentucky Republican said in a statement. | “I welcome this bipartisan agreement and hope the Senate will quickly pass it once members have reviewed the final text,” the Kentucky Republican said in a statement. |
| In some typical political posturing, McConnell blamed Democrats for delaying the bill’s passage by pushing for more funding for hospitals and state and local governments. | In some typical political posturing, McConnell blamed Democrats for delaying the bill’s passage by pushing for more funding for hospitals and state and local governments. |
| “I am just sorry that it took my colleagues in Democratic leadership 12 days to accept the inevitable, and that they shut down emergency support for Main Street in a search for partisan ‘leverage’ that never materialized,” McConnell said in his statement. | “I am just sorry that it took my colleagues in Democratic leadership 12 days to accept the inevitable, and that they shut down emergency support for Main Street in a search for partisan ‘leverage’ that never materialized,” McConnell said in his statement. |
| But that is not exactly accurate. The original bill that McConnell proposed would have allocated $250 billion in funding to the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, but the final bill includes nearly twice as much funding, including $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing. | But that is not exactly accurate. The original bill that McConnell proposed would have allocated $250 billion in funding to the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, but the final bill includes nearly twice as much funding, including $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing. |
| Although Demoocrats could not get funding for state and local governments included in this bill, much to governors’ chagrin, they were able to achieve some of their policy objectives by securing more money for hospitals and testing. | Although Demoocrats could not get funding for state and local governments included in this bill, much to governors’ chagrin, they were able to achieve some of their policy objectives by securing more money for hospitals and testing. |
| The Trump International Hotel in Washington is reportedly seeking rent relief from the federal government as the property suffers financially due to the pandemic. | The Trump International Hotel in Washington is reportedly seeking rent relief from the federal government as the property suffers financially due to the pandemic. |
| The New York Times reports: | The New York Times reports: |
| Like many other US companies in the hospitality industry, the Trump organization has suffered financial losses and been forced to lay off workers as many hotels across the country remain largely empty. | Like many other US companies in the hospitality industry, the Trump organization has suffered financial losses and been forced to lay off workers as many hotels across the country remain largely empty. |
| Unlike those other companies, the Trump organization is specifically barred from receiving coronavirus relief funding from the government. According to the text of the $2 trillion stimulus package, businesses owned by the president or the vice president may not receive loans or investments from the treasury department. | Unlike those other companies, the Trump organization is specifically barred from receiving coronavirus relief funding from the government. According to the text of the $2 trillion stimulus package, businesses owned by the president or the vice president may not receive loans or investments from the treasury department. |
| The US has now confirmed 800,000 cases of coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. | The US has now confirmed 800,000 cases of coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. |
| The US has confirmed 804,194 cases, more than any other country in the world. Spain, which has confirmed the second-highest number of cases, has about a quarter of the US total, with 204,178 cases. | The US has confirmed 804,194 cases, more than any other country in the world. Spain, which has confirmed the second-highest number of cases, has about a quarter of the US total, with 204,178 cases. |
| The global number of confirmed coronavirus cases has also continued to climb and currently stands at 2,531,804. | The global number of confirmed coronavirus cases has also continued to climb and currently stands at 2,531,804. |
| The US has recorded 43,200 deaths from the virus, accounting for about 1 in every 4 coronavirus deaths reported from around the world. | The US has recorded 43,200 deaths from the virus, accounting for about 1 in every 4 coronavirus deaths reported from around the world. |
| The Senate and the White House have finalized the next coronavirus relief bill, which allocates nearly $500 billion in funding for small business loans, hospitals and testing. | The Senate and the White House have finalized the next coronavirus relief bill, which allocates nearly $500 billion in funding for small business loans, hospitals and testing. |
| The largest portion of the funds, more than $320 billion, will go to the small business loan program known as the Paycheck Protection Program. | The largest portion of the funds, more than $320 billion, will go to the small business loan program known as the Paycheck Protection Program. |
| Another $60 billion will go to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which was first created to help small businesses deal with natural disasters like hurricanes. Like PPP, the program has run out of money due to a flood of applications amid the current crisis. | Another $60 billion will go to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which was first created to help small businesses deal with natural disasters like hurricanes. Like PPP, the program has run out of money due to a flood of applications amid the current crisis. |
| The bill also allocates $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for coronavirus testing, which Democrats had lobbied for. But Democratic lawmakers failed to secure more funding for state and local governments in this bill, despite pleas from governors. | The bill also allocates $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for coronavirus testing, which Democrats had lobbied for. But Democratic lawmakers failed to secure more funding for state and local governments in this bill, despite pleas from governors. |
| The Senate is expected to approve the bill by unanimous consent at 4 pm ET, and Trump has already said he would sign the bill. | The Senate is expected to approve the bill by unanimous consent at 4 pm ET, and Trump has already said he would sign the bill. |
| However, it’s still possible the House will be forced to take a formal vote on the bill if Republican congressman Thomas Massie raises an objection to it, as he has previously threatened to do. That move would force House members to return to Washington to get the bill passed. | However, it’s still possible the House will be forced to take a formal vote on the bill if Republican congressman Thomas Massie raises an objection to it, as he has previously threatened to do. That move would force House members to return to Washington to get the bill passed. |
| Nearly half of Americans now say they or someone in their household has lost a job or income due to the coronavirus pandemic. | Nearly half of Americans now say they or someone in their household has lost a job or income due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| According to a newly released poll from the Pew Research Center, 43% of Americans say their household has suffered a job loss or a cut in pay since the start of the coronavirus crisis, marking a 10-point increase from a month ago. | According to a newly released poll from the Pew Research Center, 43% of Americans say their household has suffered a job loss or a cut in pay since the start of the coronavirus crisis, marking a 10-point increase from a month ago. |
| A majority of low-income adults (52%) say their household has been directly impacted, and only 23% of low-income respondents said they had rainy day funds set aside. | A majority of low-income adults (52%) say their household has been directly impacted, and only 23% of low-income respondents said they had rainy day funds set aside. |
| Latinx Americans are particularly hard hit, with 61% of them saying their households have suffered financial losses because of the crisis, in comparison to 44% of black adults and 38% of whites. | Latinx Americans are particularly hard hit, with 61% of them saying their households have suffered financial losses because of the crisis, in comparison to 44% of black adults and 38% of whites. |