Senators block new virus aid, Pelosi decries 'stunt'

WASHINGTON -- Senators torpedoed quick passage of a new coronavirus aid package Thursday, with Democrats rejecting a Trump administration request for $250 billion to boost a small business payroll fund and Republicans refusing Democrats' demand for another $250 billion for hospitals and states.

The standoff doesn't end the pursuit of more rescue funds. Democrats and Republicans agree the aid is urgently needed and talks continue. But it reinforces that Congress and the White House will need to find bipartisan agreement.

"Nobody thinks this will be the Senate's last word on COVID-19," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Let's continue to work together, with speed and bipartisanship. We will get through this crisis together."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the Senate vote merely a "stunt" as the country faces an "epic" crisis. She ridiculed the administration for trying to jam a $250 billion request through Congress with 48 hours notice.

"Really?" Pelosi said on a conference call with reporters.

The stall comes as communities across the nation strain to meet health care needs and salvage local economies pummeled by the crisis. A new jobless report shows a whopping 16.8 million Americans are now out of work.

With Congress all but shuttered -- and unlikely to return April 20, as planned -- lawmakers pledge to keep negotiating with the White House to provide fresh help, beyond the $2.2 trillion package passed last month.

In the brief Senate session, Democrats rejected Trump's request for $250 billion to supplement a "paycheck protection" program for businesses crippled by the outbreak.

McConnell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin say the business program, which involves direct subsidies to companies to keep employees on payroll and pay company rent, is on track to quickly deplete its first $350 billion infusion as businesses rush to apply for the aid.

Democrats are not opposed to boosting the payroll fund, but Pelosi wants to ensure equity in lending to minority-owned businesses and others that may not have routine access to financial institutions.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., accused McConnell of trying to ram through legislation and detailed a variety of glitches in the program, including fears that many big lenders are not serving minority neighborhoods.

Democrats are pressing for half of the White House request, or $125 billion, to be channeled through community-based financial institutions that serve farmers and family-, women-, minority- and veteran-owned small businesses and nonprofits in rural, tribal, suburban and urban communities.

They circulated a $500 billion plan that would include the Trump request and add $100 billion for hospitals and other health care providers and $150 billion to state and local governments, as well as a 15% boost in food stamp benefits. They hope this serves as a basis for talks with McConnell going forward.

Democrats also sidetracked a request by McConnell to give the unanimous consent necessary to fast-track Trump's request through the House. There's also lone wolf Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who promises to block efforts to pass such huge legislation without lawmakers present and ready to vote.

The future of the legislation is likely to be largely determined by a small, familiar group of senior Washington hands, including Pelosi, McConnell and Mnuchin, along with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Vice President Mike Pence is convening another day of conference calls with lawmakers and the coronavirus task force, talking separately with Senate Republicans and Democrats, on the crisis and federal response.

The Senate convened for the brief pro-forma session with just four senators present -- none in masks -- to consider the dueling proposals.

Senate Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who presided over the brief session, told reporters it is "unlikely" the chamber reopens April 20 as planned.