US congressional leaders have agreed on a $ 900 billion aid package, the first of its kind in months, to support the economy and individuals affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The package, likely to be voted on later Monday, will be the second largest economic stimulus package in US history after $ 2.3 trillion in aid in March.
The aid comes at a time of greater spread of the Coronavirus, which has an average daily number of infections in the country of more than 214,000 cases. The pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 317,000 Americans.
“After a long wait, we have the bipartisan breakthrough that the country has been waiting for,” said Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after months of grueling deliberation.
White House spokesman Ben Williams said President Donald Trump supports the bill and will sign it.
The package includes direct payments of $ 600 to individuals and an additional $ 300 per week of unemployment benefit. It also includes billions of dollars for small projects, food aid, support for the distribution of HIV vaccines, and aid for the transport and healthcare sectors.
Charles Schumer
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Nancy Pelosi