The Senate approved a large coronavirus package Wednesday to establish free testing, boost funds for states and expand paid sick leave.
The deal passed 90-8 after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Mo.) urged Republicans to vote in favor.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the bill grants at least $6 billion to New York, which has been hardest hit by the outbreak. He worked to boost the federal share of Medicaid expenses during the COVID-19 crisis, meaning states save massive amounts of money.
The number of confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases passed 7,000 on Wednesday. New York has the highest number of confirmed cases with nearly 2,400.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin brokered the deal last week, and it passed the House 363-40 on Saturday. The bill also provides $1 billion in food aid to the needy and $1 billion in unemployment funds to states.
The sick leave provision requires businesses to provide two weeks of paid sick leave to full-time workers impacted by the outbreak.
Some Republicans say the sick leave rule is an unfair mandate on businesses struggling to stay afloat as local governments order closures and markets plunge. Critics who wanted a more expansive sick leave provision point out that it only covers about 20 percent of private sector workers. Businesses with more than 500 workers are not covered, and businesses with fewer than 50 employees can apply for an exemption.
An initial $8.3 billion legislative package passed early this month to fund medical supplies and federal response efforts.
Senate Republicans currently are working to craft a third bill that would be about $1 trillion in economic stimulus to small businesses, airlines and the general public.
The White House is requesting two waves of checks sent directly to all Americans, with a $250 billion wave in just two weeks on April 6 and a second wave of $250 billion in checks on May 18. Republicans are divided on mailing checks, and Democrats are complaining about being left out of the drafting process.
