WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Donald Trump signed into law Friday the largest emergency relief package in American history - totaling more than $2.2 trillion dollars.
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The plan passed the U.S. House Friday afternoon. Several lawmakers noted that while the bill is “not perfect,” it is needed amid the coronavirus outbreak.
"I don't like everything in this bill," said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8th District. "It still has items I don't agree with and I worry about the price tag. However, families, hospitals, and small businesses need immediate relief."
The bill includes checks for the American public, a hundred billion dollars to help hospitals, plus hundreds of billions of dollars for businesses both large and small.
North Carolina lawmakers like Rep. Ted Budd, R-13th District, expressed hope that the unprecedented aid package will help bolster the economy in a time of crisis.
“A lot of small business owners in my district that treat employees like family. A lot of tears on a lot of people’s faces because they’re having to make tough economic choices," Budd said. "We want them to retain their employees so that they can restart as quickly as possible."
The two trillion dollar deal came together earlier this week, receiving unanimous support in the U.S. Senate.
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But the bill’s passage Friday in the House came with some political drama. A Kentucky Republican's plan to call for a recorded vote forced lawmakers from across the country to scramble to Washington, D.C. overnight.
Many House lawmakers are currently self-isolating at home - two more announced Friday they had tested positive for COVID-19. House leaders hoped to use a special procedure to pass the bill, thereby limiting the number of members needed on Capitol Hill.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-10th District, did not mince words when asked about that Kentucky Republican: Rep. Thomas Massie.
“I think he put a lot of people in jeopardy and risk, when we know that just about every member of the House of Representatives supports the bill we just passed,” he said. “This bill passed 96 to 0 out of the Senate. You can’t do anything in this political environment 96 to 0. Post office namings, maybe.”
The legislation is the third and by far the largest relief bill passed by Congress in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Already some are arguing there will need to be a fourth.
In an interview, Rep. Alma Adams, D-12th District, outlined a few things she felt were lacking in the first three bills, including additional relief for student loan borrowers and assistance for those with COVID-19.
“Making sure that we not just defer loans, but that we forgive some of this debt that these students have,” she said. “You can get free [coronavirus] testing, but we were trying to get free treatment for people who have no health insurance, and we have so many in North Carolina.”
The House adjourned after Friday’s vote.
The Senate left town earlier this week and is not scheduled to return for several weeks - though they could be called back sooner if action is warranted.