Kelsey Snell

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are pushing a wide range of proposals such as banning chokeholds as a response to the protests across the country following the death of George Floyd.

The next round of coronavirus aid will be narrowly focused and will not extend federal unemployment assistance, the Senate majority leader says.

Some Democrats are pushing for changes to the social safety net to address needs of people during the pandemic and beyond. Moderates caution the need for reassessing plans and bipartisan changes.

The latest coronavirus aid bill that passed the House last Friday is full of proposals Democrats have been pitching for years and includes major expansions of social safety net programs.

The House approved the massive package with aid to states, local governments, individuals. Senate Republicans already dismissed the proposal and it's unclear when parties will reach bipartisan deal.

There have been four separate measures over the last two months, including payments to individuals, tax breaks for businesses, and funds for public health and state and local governments.

The House is set to vote Friday on a $3 trillion coronavirus aid package. It was written entirely by Democrats, and Republicans are not on board.

Public health experts have testified before a Senate health committee on Tuesday. House Democrats are proposing a plan for the next coronavirus relief bill.

House Democrats plan a Friday vote on another massive relief bill that has more money for states, help for the jobless and virus-testing funds. Republicans immediately called it a partisan wish list.

A trio of Senate Democrats wants to give $2,000 per month to individuals through the end of the health emergency. One Senate Republican suggests covering payroll for companies that rehire workers.

Dr. Anthony Fauci and other members of the coronavirus task force will testify before a GOP-led Senate committee next week but have been blocked from making similar appearances in the House so far.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning to start a Senate session next week even though Washington, D.C., remains a coronavirus hotspot. The House is not returning to the capital yet.

The House majority leader initially told House Democrats the chamber would convene next week. A bipartisan task force is looking at options for remote voting and committee work.

It is the fourth measure approved by Congress in less than two months to combat the pandemic. This one, totaling $484 billion, will supply fresh funding to a new small business lending program.

In the last month, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the jobs of one in six workers in the United States. NPR economic, science and congressional correspondents discuss the latest coronavirus news.

Bipartisan negotiators and the Trump administration reached a deal on spending more money to support small businesses, as well as to assist hospitals and improve testing nationwide.

Both Republicans and Democrats agreed that a small-business program that ran out of money needed a major infusion. Negotiators also added resources for hospitals and testing.

The White House and congressional leaders may be near a deal on a new wave of coronavirus relief funding. The proposal would replenish a small business loan program that ran out of money.

Congress isn't known for passing broad legislation quickly. Its response to the 2008 economic crisis has parallels with that to the coronavirus pandemic, which could mean political blowback for some.

The 2008 economic crisis had both parties on Capitol Hill acting swiftly to provide relief this time around. Congress learned it takes time for policies to take hold, but political fallout is swift.