Democratic Leaders Seek $500 Billion in Next Round of Coronavirus Relief Plan

Since late February, Congress and President Trump have passed three bills in response to the coronavirus pandemic: A modest $8.3 billion investment in the public health response, then about $100 billion to beef up food stamps, state Medicaid budgets, unemployment benefits, and provide some limited paid leave. The third package, the CARES Act, was a whopping $2.2 trillion in aid that threw gobs of money at American households and businesses alike.

Now Congress is discussing a fourth bill — "CARES 2" as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cali.) is calling it...

Washington — As lawmakers on Capitol Hill turn their focus to approving additional funding for small businesses weathering the coronavirus crisis, Democratic leaders said Wednesday they back more aid for struggling businesses but made further requests for an interim legislative package, including money for hospitals and state and local governments.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday requested Congress approve an additional $250 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, a key pillar of the $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package signed into law last month. The loan program, administered by the Small...