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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is scrambling to unravel last-minute snags and win passage of an unparalleled $2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The 883-page measure is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history, and both parties' leaders are desperate for quick passage as the virus takes lives and jobs by the hour. The Senate has remained stayed in session in anticipation of still passing the bill after days of delays. President Donald Trump has implored Congress to move without further delay.
UNDATED (AP) — President Trump is urging passage of an unprecedented aid package as Senate leaders grapple with last-minute snags in emergency legislation to rush some $2 trillion in assistance to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. New York authorities mobilized to head off a potential public health disaster as the overall U.S. death toll passed 900. Restaurants, hotels, airlines, automakers and entertainment venues have been hard hit, resulting in massive layoffs. Pressure is mounting for the release of people from U.S. immigration detention and aid workers say measures aimed at slowing the virus in the Middle East is keeping them from helping people there.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York authorities are mobilizing to head off a potential public health disaster in the country's largest city as President Trump urges Congress to act on a critical aid package. With New York's emergence as the nation's coronavirus hot spot, a makeshift morgue has been set up outside Bellevue Hospital. The coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force is warning New York cases could grow and is urging New York residents to follow public health recommendations. Spain's Parliament has agreed to extending a state of emergency two more weeks, for a full month.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state has climbed to 3,800, with close to 900 in intensive care. New York officials are keeping a close eye on already-stressed hospitals as the number of cases is projected to rise for perhaps three more weeks. Cuomo said Wednesday that as many as 140,000 hospital beds may be needed in a state with 53,000. The state has more than 30,000 confirmed cases and 285 deaths. The nation-high figures are driven mostly by New York City.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom says five of the nation's largest banks have agreed to temporarily suspend residential mortgage payments for those affected by the coronavirus. Newsom says Wells Fargo, US Bank, Citi and JP Morgan Chase have agreed to delay mortgage payments for 90 days. Bank of America has agreed to a one-month deferment that could be extended. The virus has devastated the state's economy. More than 1 million Californians filed for unemployment benefits since March 13. A tally by Johns Hopkins University found nearly 3,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in California and at least 65 deaths.
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