The House of Representatives passed a coronavirus emergency stimulus package in a bipartisan vote early Saturday.
The House passed the bill 363-40 and it now heads to the Senate, which could vote on it as early as Monday.
The legislation also authorizes free COVID-19 testing for those who need a test, including uninsured people.
The bill also includes enhanced unemployment benefits, improved food security initiatives, and federal Medicaid funding to states.
“This legislation is about testing, testing, testing,” she wrote. “To stop the spread of the virus, we have secured free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured. We cannot fight coronavirus effectively unless everyone in our country who needs to be tested can get their test free of charge.”
“This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers. I have directed the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations that will provide flexibility so that in no way will Small Businesses be hurt ... I will always put the health and well-being of American families FIRST. Look forward to signing the final Bill ASAP!”
Pelosi said the House would begin work next week on a third emergency response package “to protect the health, economic security, and well-being of the American people.” House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Trump’s proposed payroll tax cut could factor in those negotiations.
“We will overcome the threat of the virus,” Trump said.
The virus has triggered temporary school closures in several cities and states across the nation.
The Los Angeles United School District, the country’s second-largest with 750,000 students, will close all schools for two weeks beginning Monday while it evaluates what to do next.
San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, Chicago, and Washington were among the other big cities telling students on Friday to stay away from class for two or three weeks.
In Illinois, Governor Jay Pritzker said all public schools in the state, including those in Chicago, would close beginning Tuesday through March 29. A handful of states, including Ohio and Michigan, have announced similar shutdowns.