The stimulus package Congress is providing to the American people is considered "wartime funding" in the battle against the deadly coronavirus, West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito explained Wednesday.
Appearing on "America's Newsroom" with host Sandra Smith, Moore Capito said that Democrats and Republicans reached a deal after midnight on Wednesday due to pressure on her liberal colleagues from hospitals, county commissions and state governors.
"The urgency of the package that we have been working on, that is very similar to what the package they agreed to ... would have provided that three or four days ago," she said. "But we are where we are."
"They have finally said 'yes' and I think we're ready to push the money out to help our constituents but also to help our employers keep people working, worker's compensation, our hospitals, our cities and counties, and many others," Moore Capito remarked. "So, this is very good news."
The historic $2 trillion deal reached in the Senate shortly after midnight on Wednesday was described by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as "unemployment compensation on steroids" which would enable companies to stay afloat and immediately bring back those employees when things are safe.
In addition, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered something of a tepid endorsement of the agreement after previously pushing for her own legislation.
The bipartisan breakthrough capped days of heated negotiations that had nearly been derailed by last-minute demands from House Democrats.
The unprecedented economic rescue package would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home.