Federal Spotlight: Congress and White House Reach Agreement on More COVID-19 Funding

President Trump and leaders from both parties in Congress came to an agreement on Tuesday morning to provide more funding for coronavirus relief measures. “CARES Act 2.0,” as some are calling the legislation, includes $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which was rapidly drained of the initial $350 billion appropriation. The bill appropriates $60 billion for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. It also awards hospitals $75 billion and puts $25 billion toward testing for states and the federal government. The House is expected to pass the legislation today, and President Trump has said he will sign the bill immediately. As conversations begin around a larger “Phase IV” bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has explicitly stated the Senate will not pass another COVID-19 bill without members being present in D.C. The Senate is currently scheduled to return to work on May 4.