US Senate passes coronavirus bill to send residents $1,200 checks. How SC voted
South Carolina’s U.S. senators voted for a $2 trillion stimulus package Wednesday night that would help businesses affected by the coronavirus and cut a check to millions of Americans.
Both of the state’s U.S. senators, Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham, cheered the passage of the bill, which was approved unanimously by a vote of 96-0 with four senators not voting.
“I voted yes because this bill, while far from perfect, will do a lot of good for people who are under tremendous stress and pressure,” Graham said in a statement. “The economic stabilization fund will leverage up to $4 trillion in private capital to sustain jobs and speed an economic recovery.”
Graham continued: “Grants to small business will help save millions from bankruptcy. Direct payments to individuals and families, along with unemployment benefits, will keep (people’s) lights on and refrigerators stocked. Help is on the way to the doctors and nurses who are in need of medical supplies, as this bill includes significant funding directed to help them.”
Scott celebrated the end of the hard-fought negotiations between Republicans and Democrats on the bill, which spanned over four days. While Democrats have said initial drafts of the bill focused too much on helping corporations, Republicans accused Democrats of needlessly holding up a necessary package.
“Finally, after days of Democrats playing political games, relief is coming for families, workers, small businesses, and health care professionals across South Carolina and the country,” Scott said in a statement. “COVID-19 not only endangers our health, but has also presented the biggest economic challenge our nation has seen in a decade. This package, while not perfect, will provide immediate financial assistance for those in need, help our small businesses keep their doors open, and keep our amazing health care providers safer.”
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it could be taken up Friday. Some congressional leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have voiced support for passing the stimulus package using “unanimous consent,” which would not require House members to return to Washington. But others, like Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, have said they would rather lawmakers return to the capitol to debate the bill.
The package, Congress’s third push to combat the coronavirus and lessen its economic impact, would dole out $2 trillion to businesses, cities, states and citizens struggling with COVID-19.
The package includes sending $1,200 checks to all adults making less than $75,000 and $2,400 to married couples filing jointly, and $500 per child to those with children. The checks would also be sent to all U.S. residents, even those without income or those who depend on social security.
Additionally, the bill would also offer an additional $600 per month for those on unemployment for up to four months.
Both Graham and Scott opposed the provision that would raise unemployment benefits. During a press conference before the vote Wednesday, Scott and Graham said offering more money for unemployment may incentive those making low wages to quit their jobs because they could be making more money through unemployment.
Ultimately, they offered an amendment to change that provision, but it failed.
The package also touts a $500 billion lending program, $367 billion to specifically help small businesses, $150 billion for state and local stimulus funds and $130 billion to go to hospitals across the country. Lawmakers also added a tax credit for some small businesses for 50% of wages paid to employees.
The package is designed to help the United States through the economic hardships caused by COVID-19 for 10 to 12 weeks, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has said.
Lawmakers in Washington D.C. have already passed two coronavirus packages, and President Donald Trump signed them into law.
The first bill was an $8.3 billion emergency spending package, $8.9 million of which went to South Carolina. The second provided free COVID-19 testing, including for those who do not have insurance, and required employers with fewer than 500 employees to give paid sick leave. It also gave $1 billion to states to help pay for processing and paying for unemployment claims, and provides about $1 billion for food assistance programs.
Several congressmen from South Carolina voted against the second package, but the bill passed both the House and Senate with broad support.
Despite the bipartisan effort to pass the second coronavirus package, Democrats and Republicans have disagreed on the terms of the most recent stimulus bill.
The Democrats blocked votes on the bill in the Senate Sunday and Monday, and negotiations lasted late into the night Tuesday.
On the Senate floor Tuesday as both sides continued to negotiate, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-Charleston, called the last two weeks “incredibly difficult times” for workers in South Carolina and across the country.
“Small businesses are scrambling,” Scott said.
“I honestly cannot believe that we are still here not having already passed legislation that would make such a big difference in the lives of so many,” Scott added Tuesday.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 10:38 AM.
