The Senate passed its massive emergency relief package for the COVID-19 outbreak late Wednesday night.
The bill passed 96-0. Four Republicans did not vote due to self-quarantine: Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD). Paul had tested positive for the coronavirus, and Thune went home out of caution because he was feeling sick. Romney and Lee are currently quarantining themselves after having made contact with Paul.
“The Senate just pivoted from one of the most divided periods in recent memory to passing the largest rescue package in American history. And we passed it unanimously,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said in a statement. “Americans deserved this outcome. I am proud the Senate stepped up.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declared in a statement that the Senate “fought for our healthcare system.”
“We fought to save jobs, millions of small businesses, millions of aviation jobs, more,” he said. “We fought to ensure Americans who lost jobs will be able to pay rent, mortgages, food because of the greatest expansion of unemployment insurance in decades.”
After the bill was passed, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced that the House would vote on the legislation at 9 AM EST on Friday, which will be done by voice vote.
