U.S. Senate will seek deal on $1 trillion coronavirus economic aid package

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell put forth emergency legislation on Thursday that would include a $1 trillion economic package to provide aid to Americans affected by coronavirus. 

Republian and Democratic lawmakers will meet on Friday to try to come to an agreement, according to Reuters. The stimulus will include direct financial payments to Americans, small business relief and support for healthcare workers and coronavirus patients. 

A major component of the package is a direct payment of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for couples below a certain income threshold, along with $500 for each child in the family. The maximum payments are for individuals earning no more than $75,000, or $150,000 for a couple.

Senator Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said currently the bill did not adequately fund federal, state and local efforts against the pandemic and “contains no funding for first responders, child care, schools, help for the homeless, or veterans medical care.”