The Senate on Thursday approved an $8.3 billion House-passed emergency spending package to combat the coronavirus that has been spreading throughout the United States.
The Senate passed the legislation in a 96-1 vote a day after the House quickly and overwhelmingly passed it in a 415-2 vote and it now goes to President Donald Trump’s desk. Appropriators had released details of the bipartisan, bicameral agreement only hours earlier on Wednesday.
- The bill provides $7.76 billion to agencies combating the coronavirus.
- Another $500 million in waivers for Medicare telehealth restrictions.
- $2.2 billion to help federal, state and local public health agencies prepare for and respond to the coronavirus, including funds for lab testing, infection control and tracing individuals who might have had contact with infected people.
