Newsbrief: $2 trillion dollar bill towards coronavirus plan fails to pass for second time

by Jonathan Grenier

(Photo: Washington Post)

A coronavirus bill for $2 trillion failed to pass the senate for the second day in a row on March 23, according to the Washington Post.

There was visible rising anger in Congress after the failure to pass. The Democratic side argued that the bill was too far in favor of big businesses and companies. Although the bill has been modified multiple times, the Democrats demanded that the bill must lean closer toward the needs of families and and health care providers.

Republicans claimed that the bill would have stimulated the economy by paying individual Americans, through checks, as well as paying small businesses. The anger from the Republican side comes from the need to pass the bill before more Americans lose their jobs.

Although it was the second time around, the vote was not any closer than before. Monday’s vote ended 49 to 46. In order for the bill to pass, a 60 vote threshold must be met.

Whether or not the bill will be able to reach its threshold, congress is not sure. But many senators are hoping to come to an agreement soon to be able to relieve some stress for Americans.

The bill did finally pass Friday March 27, by the house of representatives according to this Washington Post article. This is the largest of its kind to pass in modern American history.

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J1 student Jonathan Grenier volunteered to write this newsbrief out of a belief that FPU students deserve good journalism in this time of crisis.