Senate Turns to House-Passed Virus Bill, Bigger One in Works

The Senate is turning to a House-passed coronavirus response bill, as lawmakers and the Trump administration work behind the scenes to draft a separate massive federal measure to help blunt the virus' effect on the economy. The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on the House bill that would speed the delivery of testing for the virus and provide paid sick leave to workers. Separately, Congress and the White House are working to develop the larger response measure that would inject hundreds of billions of dollars into the faltering economy, provide relief to shuttered businesses, and help keep airlines from going under.

The Treasury Department wants to start issuing direct payments to Americans by early next month as the centerpiece of a $1 trillion plan to stabilize the economy amid the coronavirus epidemic. In a memorandum issued Wednesday, Treasury is calling for two $250 billion cash infusions to individuals: A first set of checks issued starting April 6, with a second wave in mid-May. The amounts would depend on income and family size. The Treasury plan, which requires approval by Congress, also recommends $50 billion to stabilize the airlines, $150 billion to issue loan guarantees to other struggling sectors, and $300 billion to for small businesses.