Senate to resume talks on massive economic stimulus bill for the coronavirus after Democrats block vote on legislation

Senate leaders and Trump administration officials are resuming talks Monday morning on a giant stimulus bill aimed at propping up an economy hard-hit by the coronavirus, after weekend negotiations failed to produce a deal.

Senate Democrats voted Sunday evening to block the bill from advancing, infuriating Republicans. Democrats have alleged the bill does too much to help prop up businesses without directing enough money to households, hospitals and health professionals. White House officials have acknowledged the unprecedented assistance the legislation would steer toward corporations but they have said this money would help protect millions of jobs.

“This isn’t corporate welfare,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Fox Business on Monday morning. “This helps all American workers.”

The legislation aims to flood the economy with money, from individuals to small businesses to large industries amid a wave of layoffs and a sharp contraction in consumer spending. It would direct $1,200 to most adults and $500 to most children. It would also create a $500 billion lending program for businesses, cities, and states, and another $350 billion to help small businesses meet payroll costs.

“We need this to pass today,” Mnuchin said.

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Mnuchin added that key parts of the possible bill remained in flux, such as the language that would dictate extreme assistance for the airline industry.