Donald Trump signs US$100 billion coronavirus emergency relief bill
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act assures emergency paid leave for those diagnosed with or caring for someone affected by Covid-19
- Bill also requires free testing for all, including the uninsured, and food assistance programmes
US President Donald Trump signed into law a US$100 billion emergency aid package shortly after the Senate passed the legislation on Wednesday.
Among the new law’s sweeping provisions, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act assures paid leave for those diagnosed with or caring for someone affected by Covid-19, free testing for all, including the uninsured, and bolstered food assistance programmes.
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 90-8.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was criticised last week for his decision to send senators home for a long weekend while House Democrats, keen to secure the Trump administration’s backing before sending the bill to the Senate, remained locked in negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Senators’ absence from Capitol Hill proved to be inconsequential. Despite an overwhelming vote on the House floor in favour of the bill early on Saturday morning, the legislation remained in the lower chamber over the weekend while a number of technical corrections to its language were made.
Republican Senator Charles Grassley said the Senate received the House’s amended bill shortly before 10am on Tuesday, criticising Democrats for blaming the hold-up on McConnell.