US Senate approves relief measures to deal with coronavirus

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This is the US bill. of aid for coronavirus 1:39

(CNN) - The United States Senate on Wednesday approved a package of relief measures for the coronavirus pandemic, which had already received the green light in the House of Representatives. The initiative includes provisions for free covid-19 tests and paid emergency licenses. The Senate decision clears it for President Donald Trump's signature on the measure.

Passing the measure will also allow the Senate to dedicate all its efforts to endorsing the next aid package in response to the pandemic crisis.

• READ: Checks in the mail? Trump seeks a stimulus of US $ 850,000 million to curb the economic crisis due to the coronavirus

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others of his fellow Republicans previously criticized the legislation passed by the House of Representatives, but emphasized that there is an urgent need to help Americans during the coronavirus crisis.

McConnell reiterated Wednesday that he will not suspend the Senate until what lawmakers have described as a "phase three" economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak is approved.

After an initial vote last week, the House on Monday approved a set of changes to the legislation, allowing the Senate to evaluate it this week.

The House bill was negotiated by the Democratic leader and president of that body, Nancy Pelosi, and the Trump government. In addition, the president has expressed his support for the measure.

To aid social distancing, McConnell announced before the final vote that senators would take precautions during the process.

"What we will do is have a nominal 30 minute vote. We want to avoid congregating here, "he said. “I invite our colleagues to come and vote and leave the premises so that we do not have discussion groups in place. That's especially important to our staff here and to the front of the camera, so I encourage everyone to take full advantage of a full 30-minute roll-call vote. Come in and vote and go, ”McConnell noted.

He also asked members of the Senate to be aware of "social distancing" when approaching to vote and leaving the chamber. With that, I think we will be able to conduct the vote that is likely to happen later without violating any of the security precautions that the Capitol doctor and others have recommended, "he said.

Trump's support for the House measure cleared the way for a broad, bipartisan vote to be won there late last week. Subsequently, a set of changes to the legislation was passed, prompting the Senate to consider the measure to offer millions of Americans paid sick and family leave.

• LOOK: Trump tweets his support for the House of Representatives bill to fight coronavirus

The legislation would provide many workers with up to two weeks of paid sick leave if they are being evaluated or treated for or diagnosed with coronavirus. Those who were told by a doctor or government official to stay home for exposure or symptoms would also be eligible.

However, the approved project limits those payments to $ 511 per day, which is roughly earned by someone with a salary of $ 133,000 a year. The original measure required workers to receive their full salary, but with a federal refund limited to that amount for employers.

Workers with family members affected by the coronavirus and those with children whose schools were closed would receive up to two-thirds of their wages, although that benefit would now be limited to $ 200 a day.

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