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Coronavirus Special Report: Morning minute 3/26

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell flashes a thumbs-up to the media Wednesday after speaking on the floor about the coronavirus stimulus package.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell flashes a thumbs-up to the media Wednesday after speaking on the floor about the coronavirus stimulus package. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

The Senate finally passed a $2 trillion economic relief bill last night by a vote of 96-0. It aims to help Americans thrown out of work when businesses shuttered to combat the virus’ spread. It contains an unprecedented expansion of unemployment benefits. 

Laid-off workers, as well as those who’ve lost substantial income because of the pandemic, will get an extra $600 a week, in addition to the standard unemployment benefit of about $400 per week, for up to four months. 

GOP senators wanted an amendment to reduce that benefit, saying it would, in some cases, mean laid-off workers would get more money than they had while they were working. It was rejected by a vote of 48-48.

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