The House easily passed a bipartisan coronavirus aid package early Saturday morning after intense negotiating between Democrats and the Trump administration.
The bill passed 363-40, with 40 Republicans voting against it.
The “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” would secure free tests for all Americans — even the uninsured — and mandatory two weeks of paid sick leave for those affected by the health crisis.
The sweeping package also provides up to three months of paid family and medical leave and strengthened unemployment insurance to brace for workers who could be laid off during the pandemic.
“[The legislation] is focused directly on providing America’s families, who must be our first priority,” Nancy Pelosi said before the vote. “The three most important parts of this bill are testing, testing testing.”
President Trump had until Friday night opposed the legislation, arguing earlier in the day that he wanted more sacrifices from Democrats — namely, for a payroll tax cut be included in the bill.
But the president came around later in the evening, saying he “fully” supported the package in a series of tweets urging both parties to vote in favor.
“This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers, Trump tweeted.
“I have directed the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations that will provide flexibility so that in no way will Small Businesses be hurt.”
The Senate is expected to take up the legislation next week.
With Post Wires.