A nearly $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus package failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on Monday, with Democrats arguing that the bill did too little to help ordinary Americans and ensure that federal money would not be abused by businesses that received aid, according to Reuters.
The 49-46 vote Monday left the measure short of the 60 votes needed to advance, as the chamber remained deadlocked for a second day. Only one Democrat, Doug Jones of Alabama, voted with Republicans to advance the bill.
“The country is burning and your side wants to play political games,” said Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who angrily accused Democrats of “dilly-dallying around.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said a modified version could pass on Monday but insisted that it needed to include more oversight provisions for a $500 billion fund for large businesses. A major sticking point: whether firms receiving a bailout should be required to retain 90% of their workers.
