Kelsey Snell

Governors are signaling a dire financial picture for states as Congress spars over including state and local funds along with additional money for small business loans.

Democrats want to funnel the extra funding through community-based financial institutions, which they say help businesses owned by minorities, veterans and rural Americans across the country.

Over the past 10 years, the IRS budget has been reduced by roughly 20%, leaving the agency with aging technology and forcing it to cut back on staff and training.

This time frame is longer than the estimate that Treasury Secretary Mnuchin gave when he negotiated the program for cash payments with congressional leaders.

The House speaker said the new select committee, chaired by Rep. James Clyburn, will focus on accountability and transparency in the new spending and programs to address the pandemic.

NPR congressional reporter Kelsey Snell and physician Dr. Abraar Karan answer listener questions about the relief bill signed into law Friday and about the latest measures combating the coronavirus.

NPR politics and science correspondents round up the latest news in the federal response to the coronavirus epidemic in the United States, including of the passage of the emergency rescue bill.

But two of Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie's Republican allies, Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Paul Gosar of Arizona, defended him against the attack.

The CARES Act offers relief to state and local governments, individuals, small and large businesses, and hospitals affected by the coronavirus crisis.

The economic relief bill provides help to individuals, businesses, hospitals, as well as state and local governments. Here are the details.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved the $2 trillion package Wednesday night. It is designed to alleviate some of the worst effects of the economic downturn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Senate reached a deal on a massive $2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue package that provides direct cash payments, unemployment aid, small business loans and help for impacted industries.

The emergency relief package includes direct payments to Americans, expanded unemployment insurance, aid to large and small businesses, and significant funding for the health care industry.

The House speaker said a Senate agreement could be "done in the next few hours." The remarks are a boost for an approximately $2 trillion deal to revitalize an economy hobbled by the outbreak.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer negotiated late into the night with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and spoke hopefully of a deal coming together on Tuesday.

The Senate is hoping for a vote on Monday, but congressional leaders said on Sunday they have yet to reach agreement on what would be the largest bill yet in response to the outbreak.

Senate Republicans have introduced a third legislative stimulus package to deal with economic fallout from the coronavirus. The bill includes cash grants for many Americans and small business relief.

The bill, which still needs to be negotiated with Senate Democrats, provides direct cash payments, loan guarantees for impacted businesses and more resources for testing and development of vaccines.

The Senate approved a new package earlier Wednesday providing paid sick leave and boosting testing for the coronavirus.

The Trump administration is requesting that Congress pass an $1 trillion stimulus to address the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.