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Senate Majority Bid to Pass Scaled-Down COVID-19 Aid Fails to Advance

Upon returning to DC this week after a month-long recess, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) wasted little time introducing and scheduling a procedural vote on an inherently doomed bill offering limited coronavirus relief.

The bill, S. 178, proposed roughly $500 billion in aid targeted toward helping small businesses and schools reopen; included broad liability protections for employers and educational institutions; and excluded substantive funding for health care, individual stimulus payments or other federal programs supporting Americans affected by the crisis.

The bill did not advance on a near party line vote of 52 to 47 during a procedural maneuver, which required 60 votes to move forward. At this point, it is unclear what the path forward on a next round of virus relief legislation will be as legislative days are dwindling before the November election. The situation could change quickly, however, and aging advocates should stay tuned to n4a's advocacy information and resources for the latest on advocacy messages for federal lawmakers.

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