WASHINGTON, 27 mar (Reuters) - The US House of Representatives approved on Friday a $2.2 trillion package, the largest in US history, to help people and businesses cope with the economic recession generated by the coronavirus pandemic. coronavirus.
The plan also throws billions of dollars at medical providers on the front lines of the outbreak. President Donald Trump signed the measure into law Friday afternoon.
"Our nation faces an economic and health emergency of historic proportions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the worst pandemic in more than 100 years," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at the close of a three-hour debate on the House floor.
Democrats and Republicans in the House They approved the package in a voice vote, rejecting a procedural challenge from Republican Rep. Thomas Massie who had attempted to force a formal, recorded vote.
Leaders of both parties called on lawmakers to return to Washington to make sure there are enough present to prevent Massie's tactic.
The session was held under special rules to limit the spread of the disease among members, who used hand sanitizer and in at least one case, protective gloves.
At least three members of Congress have tested positive for the coronavirus and more than two dozen have quarantined themselves to limit its spread.
THE VIRUS IS HERE
Democratic and Republican leaders appeared together at a news conference to celebrate the bill's passage, an unusual event for a body that is normally sharply divided along partisan lines.
"The virus is here. We didn't ask for it, we didn't invite it. We didn't choose it. But with the passage of the bill you will see that we will fight together and we will win together," said Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican in the House.
The rescue package represents the largest fiscal stimulus ever approved by the US Congress. With a total volume of $2.2 trillion, the measures include $500 billion in aid to the most affected industries and $290 billion to provide payments of up to $3,000 to millions of families.
The project also provides an allocation of $350 billion to provide loans to small businesses, $250 billion to increase unemployment benefits and at least $100 billion for hospitals and other health organizations.
On Thursday, the United States surpassed China and Italy as the country with the most coronavirus cases. The number increased to over 87,000 infected, while more than 1,300 deaths have occurred.
Reporting by David Morgan, Lisa Lambert, Doina Chiacu, Richard Cowan, Susan Cornwell, Andy Sullivan and Patricia Zengerle. Written by Andy Sullivan and Patricia Zengerle. Edited in Spanish by Manuel Farías.
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