President Trump, along with members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, held a briefing to discuss the federal government's response to the outbreak. The president announced more supplies and resources would be provided to three hardest-hit states: New York, California and Washington. As the president was taking questions from reporters, a vote to proceed to a coronavirus economic aid package failed in the Senate, 47-47. Six senators were absent, including four GOP senators who were quarantined due to contact with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who also did not vote after testing positive for the virus.
An angry Senate Majority Leader chastised Democrats for not supporting his plan to boost the economy damaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Mitch McConnell said the Senate will vote again, likely Monday, on advancing the plan while negotiations continue.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said he believes Democrats can reach agreement with Republican on an economic stimulus plan, but several items need further negotiation.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Charles Grassley said he thought he had a good working relationship with Democrats and he doesn't understand why they voted against advancing an economic stimulus plan still under negotiations.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) held a briefing on the coronavirus. He announced the closure of all non-essential businesses in the state. He also launched the business relief program to help small businesses pay employees and bills through the pandemic.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) held a briefing on the coronavirus. He announced the closure of all non-essential businesses in the state. He also launched the business relief program to help small businesses pay employees and bills through the pandemic.
President Trump, joined by members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, held a briefing on the federal government's response to the pandemic. While the president talked about the importance of social distancing guidelines, he also speculated that the impact on the economy could be worse than the pandemic. "We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself," said the president, while hinting that the country could try to relax some of the guidelines "sooner than people would think." Attorney General William Barr also spoke about an executive order that would allow the Justice Department to prosecute price gouging and hoarding of critical health and medical supplies.
