Coronavirus: Senate leaders announce agreement on relief package

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 26: The U.S. Capitol is seen during a partial shutdown of the U.S. government, on December 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. With the new congress scheduled to start on January 3, 2019, Congressional Democrats and Republicans cannot come to a bipartisan solution to President Donald Trump's demands for more money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 26: The U.S. Capitol is seen during a partial shutdown of the U.S. government, on December 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. With the new congress scheduled to start on January 3, 2019, Congressional Democrats and Republicans cannot come to a bipartisan solution to President Donald Trump's demands for more money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Senate leaders have announced the completion of a bipartisan coronavirus relief package, to be voted on later today.

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The exact details of the legislation are vague. However, at 2:40 a.m. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted a five-minute clip of a speech, in which he outlines some aspects of the agreed-upon deal.

He said the package includes over $130 billion for medical services, money for “unemployment compensation on steroids”, oversight for loans given to corporations, $150 billion for state and local governments for resources, and loans for small businesses.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s comments, tweeted at 1:51 a.m., were much briefer.

He announced that after days of discussions the Senate has reached an agreement, and promising “We’re going to pass this legislation later today.”

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene at noon today to consider the bill.

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