Here’s what’s included in the Senate’s $2 trillion stimulus bill, and other highlights from the Coronavirus Task Force press briefing
During the Coronavirus Task Force press briefing this evening, President Donald Trump broke down what Americans should expect to see in the long-awaited $2 trillion stimulus bill. Here’s what’s on the table:
- $350 billion in job retention loans for small businesses, with loan forgiveness available to those businesses that keep paying their workers
- $300 billion available in direct cash payments
- $250 billion in expanded unemployment benefits — Independent contractors and self-employed people will be eligible for these benefits
- $100 billion to support health care providers
- $45 billion for the disaster relief fund
- $27 billion to build up strategic federal stockpile with masks, respirators, etc.
- Significant funding included for the development of vaccines
- $500 billion on hardest-hit industries with a ban on corporate stock buybacks — Republicans and Democrats were both in support of this
- $16 billion in funding available for the purchase of PPEs
“I encourage the House to pass this vital legislation and send the bill to my desk for signature without delay, I will sign it immediately. It will be a great day for the American worker and American families,” said President Trump.
Though there still appears to be some debate going on within the Senate and House, Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnunchin says this bill is expected to pass tonight in the Senate and will make its way over to the House tomorrow. The bill will hopefully be signed and put into action by the end of the week.
Dr. Deborah Birx says the number of cases per day in New York City has been “relatively constant over the last three days.” She is urging those in New York City to follow the guidance of Gov. Cuomo, the Trump Administration and the CDC to stay at home, and do their part to limit the spread.
She says hospital cases will continue to increase, but that they are a reflection of 1-2 weeks ago before the shelter at home order was put in place. She does not want Americans to panic if they do observe this increase in hospitalizations.
Dr. Anthony Fauci wants Americans to understand that we need to prepare for the possibility of another cycle of the Coronavirus. This means, it is important we keep doing what we are currently doing — social distancing, going into self-quarantine the second we feel ill, etc. — in order to protect ourselves. That said, it becomes even more important that health officials continue to work quickly to develop a cure, and that health care officials receive their medical supplies. Again, funding for this should come in the stimulus bill that’s expected to pass in the coming days.
