This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52398980

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Coronavirus: Congress passes $484bn economic relief bill Coronavirus: Congress passes $484bn economic relief bill
(about 3 hours later)
The US House of Representatives has passed a new Covid-19 relief package totalling $484bn (£391bn), the fourth aid bill to clear Congress in response to the pandemic. The US Congress has passed a new Covid-19 relief package totalling $484bn (£391bn), the fourth aid bill to clear Congress in response to the pandemic.
The legislation, approved by 388-5, devotes more money to a small business aid fund, hospitals and wider testing. The legislation, approved 388-5 by the House of Representatives, tops up a small business aid fund, while funding hospitals and testing.
President Donald Trump has already said he will enact the bill, which passed the Senate unanimously on Tuesday. President Donald Trump said he would enact the bill, which passed the Senate unanimously on Tuesday.
The US has over 845,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 46,800 deaths.The US has over 845,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 46,800 deaths.
Last month, Washington enacted the largest economic stimulus package in US history, with $2 trillion in coronavirus aid.Last month, Washington enacted the largest economic stimulus package in US history, with $2 trillion in coronavirus aid.
The additional funding for the small business programme follows Thursday's unemployment report, which revealed over 26 million Americans filed for jobless claims in the last five weeks - and 4.4 million last week alone. Thursday's bill will bring the total federal spending on Covid-19 relief up to $3tn, swelling the US budget deficit towards record levels.
Lawmakers have given $310bn in new funds to the Paycheck Protection Program, which offers loans to small businesses so they can keep employees on the payroll. Mr Trump and Democrats are keen on passing another relief bill that could top $1tn, but the president's fellow Republicans are not keen.
The $349bn allocated to the programme last month ran out last week, leaving millions of business owners questioning how they could keep operating. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has drawn bipartisan criticism for saying he would support states declaring bankruptcy rather than having the federal government "borrow money from future generations".
The White House initially requested lawmakers separately allot $250bn for the pay programme, but Democrats argued for stipulations to ensure the money reached underserved communities. The economic ravages of the pandemic were brought into sharp focus on Thursday by official unemployment figures that showed over 26 million Americans have filed for jobless claims in the last five weeks - and 4.4 million last week alone.
Democrats also said funds should be allocated for hospitals and testing. In Thursday's bill, lawmakers gave $310bn in new funds to the Paycheck Protection Program, which offers loans to small businesses so they can keep employees on the payroll.
Hospitals will now receive $75bn, and $25bn will go towards expanding Covid-19 testing - which experts have emphasised is a key step to re-opening the economy. The $349bn allocated to the programme last month ran out last week after just 13 days, leaving millions of business owners questioning how they could keep operating.
Today's vote took place with new social distancing measures - lawmakers waited in their offices for the vote, came to the floor in small groups and the chamber was cleaned between group votes. There was uproar when it emerged large, publicly traded companies had obtained the funding, and the US Treasury has given them until 7 May to return the money without penalty.
During negotiations for the latest stimulus package, Democrats insisted funds be allocated for hospitals and testing.
Hospitals will receive $75bn, and $25bn will go towards expanding Covid-19 testing - which experts have emphasised is a key step to reopening the economy.
Thursday's legislating took place with social distancing - lawmakers waited in their offices for the vote, came to the floor in small groups and the chamber was cleaned between votes.
Ohio Republican Jim Jordan angered some Democrats for appearing on the House floor - and reportedly coughing - without a face covering.Ohio Republican Jim Jordan angered some Democrats for appearing on the House floor - and reportedly coughing - without a face covering.
In other developments:In other developments: