President Trump signed off on a more than $100 billion coronavirus aid package on Wednesday, March 18. Lawmakers are already working on another stimulus effort in response to the widening outbreak in the country.
The approved bill, as reported by The Hill, bolsters unemployment insurance and guarantees free diagnostic testing for the coronavirus.
It also provides up to 10 days of paid sick leave for some workers. It caps that at companies with 500 employees and would allow for those with fewer than 50 to apply for a waiver.
Here are major elements of the legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on Saturday.
- FREE CORONAVIRUS TESTING
- PAID SICK LEAVE AND EMERGENCY LEAVE FOR SOME WORKERS
- ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
- FOOD ASSISTANCE
- INCREASE FUNDING FOR MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR THE POOR
POLITICO went on to report that the Treasury Department’s proposal, the so-called “phase three” proposal, would include $50 billion to aid the hard-hit airline industry, $150 billion for other distressed sectors of the economy, two rounds of direct payments of $250 billion each on April 6 and May 18, and the creation of a small business interruption loan program.