Friday, March 20, 2020

4:29 The Senate stands adjourned until noon Saturday, when it will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 748, the vehicle for the coronavirus package.

4:28 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on H.R. 748, to amend the Internal Revenue Code on health care issues. This is the shell to contain the four-part coronavirus response package.

By voice vote, the Senate confirmed Executive Calendars# 604 and #606 through #628, military promotions.

2:50 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about the virus.

2:39 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the virus.

1:50 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about the virus.

12:48 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the virus. He called, among other steps, for a “Marshall Plan” to aid in the medical fight against the virus.

12:29 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the virus.

12:18 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about the crisis for small business.

12:04 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell said the first procedural vote on the latest coronavirus relief bill could occur Saturday. A four-part package could pass with bipartisan support Monday:

  1. Payments to citizens, through supplemental unemployment and other benefits;
  2. Small business assistance;
  3. A “big, structural response” to the economic crisis, including targeted loans to certain sectors in need;
  4. A surge of aid for the medical battle against the virus.

12:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the coronavirus crisis.

The Senate will convene at noon. No votes have been scheduled.