McConnell, Democrats jostle over urgent business virus aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — An urgent $250 billion request by President Donald Trump to supplement a business “paycheck protection” program for firms crippled by the coronavirus outbreak faces a roadblock Thursday in the Senate.

Democrats have signaled they’ll block the request when it’s offered by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Democrats want add-ons and protections to make sure businesses in disadvantaged communities are able to participate.

McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., outlined their positions in a relatively muted rhetoric Wednesday — tacit acknowledgment of the urgency of the measure.

McConnell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin say the business program, which involves direct subsidies to companies to keep employees on payroll and pay their rent, is on track to quickly deplete its first $350 billion infusion as business rush to apply for the aid.

Democrats' requests like aid to states and hospitals mirror programs will flow more slowly, but McConnell is promising those topics are likely to be addressed in future coronavirus response bills.

“There is no reason why this bipartisan job-saving program should be held hostage for other priorities,” McConnell wrote on Twitter. “Let’s re-fund the only program that’s already running dry and keep moving forward together.”

Pelosi and McConnell do much of their communicating in public statements, which this week have avoided inflammatory broadsides.

In interviews, Pelosi stressed making sure that the popular paycheck protection program, part of the massive $2.2 trillion economic aid Congress passed in March, delivers benefits to businesses in minority communities that are often under-served by traditional lenders.

“One of the concerns that we have about the original $350...