U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to the media after a meeting to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert
Reuters: Partisan battles block U.S. Senate coronavirus bill but talks continue
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Partisan battles in the U.S. Senate on Sunday stopped a coronavirus response bill from advancing, even as negotiations continued over Democrats’ demands for more federal funding for medical care and state and local efforts to combat the outbreak.
The measure faltered after it failed to get the necessary 60 votes in the 100-member chamber to clear a procedural hurdle after days of negotiations.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged Democrats to stop their “obstruction,” saying it was delaying aid and hurting financial markets.
The bill is Congress’ third effort to blunt the economic toll of a disease that has killed at least 415 people in the United States and sickened more than 35,000, leading governors to order nearly a third of the nation’s population to stay at home and putting much business activity on hold.
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Update: As crisis deepens, congressional rescue deal teeters (AP)
WNU Editor: If this is not resolved by 9:30 EST Monday, there is going to be a bloodbath when the stock markets open. Is Washington that stupid?
