House passes historic $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package

By Tony Bertuca / March 27, 2020 at 2:13 PM

The House today passed an unprecedented $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package with $10.5 billion in additional defense funds, sending the measure to President Trump for his immediate signature.

The House passed the massive stimulus bill by voice vote, reaching a quorum of 216 lawmakers needed to block an effort by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who sought a recorded vote that would have delayed passage.

The Senate passed the bill Wednesday 96-0.

The bill includes $1 billion the Pentagon can use via the Defense Production Act to rapidly produce medical supplies. The legislation would use $1.5 billion to finance emergency deployments of the National Guard.

The Defense Health Program would also get $3.8 billion to provide care and medical countermeasures for military personnel. The bill blocks any of the new funds from being reprogrammed to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

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