Pelosi forecasts House OK of Senate’s $2.2T virus aid plan
Associated PressWASHINGTON — The House will give final approval Friday to the massive $2.2 trillion economic rescue bill with robust backing from both parties, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, a vote that would cap Congress’ tumultuous effort to rush the relief to a nation battered by the coronavirus. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said in a TV interview the economy “may well be in a recession.” Pelosi praised the bill’s expansion of unemployment benefits and provisions that encourage companies hit by the pandemic to keep paying their workers, even those who are furloughed. “If somebody has a different point of view, they can put it in the record, but we’re not worried about that.” The package would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home. He said that while Democrats inserted things in the bill that didn’t deal with coronavirus, ”we will still get this package done for hospitals, workers, small businesses.” “Every day matters, so we want to get this done quickly,” McCarthy said.