The Senate on Thursday passed a bipartisan $8.3 billion emergency spending package meant to speed funds to help the government’s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The bill passed easily, by a 96-1 vote, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) the lone vote in opposition. Paul had proposed an amendment to the package that would have cut foreign aid programs to offset costs of the coronavirus funding. The Senate set aside his amendment.
The emergency package, which passed the House Wednesday, now goes to the White House for President Trump to sign. Trump on Wednesday tweeted that the funding was “great news for our Health, our Economy, and our Nation!”
