Democrat says House vote on $2 trillion aid deal could fall to Friday

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) said Wednesday that the House’s vote on the $2 trillion coronavirus package reached by Senate leaders could possibly be pushed to Friday.

“Our goal is to get our caucus all of the information that they need and to get to unanimous consent or voice vote by tomorrow, certainly by Friday,” Clark, the vice chairwoman of the House Democratic Caucus, told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.

“We are balancing the urgency which we must get this relief to the American people and our responsibility, with a multiple trillion dollar package, to the taxpayers — and to making sure that this funding is targeted at those that need it the most,” she said.

.@RepKClark on the Phase III bill passage timeline: “Our goal is to get our caucus all of the information that they need and to get to unanimous consent or voice vote by tomorrow, certainly by Friday.” #AMRstaff

— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) March 25, 2020

The White House and Senate leaders from both parties reached agreement on the massive relief package after midnight, with the Senate expected to vote on the bill later in the day Wednesday.

The legislation offers hundreds of billions of dollars to small businesses and industries, like airlines, that have been hit hard by the pandemic. The bill also gives a one-time $1,200 check to Americans making under $75,000 a year, among numerous other provisions.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said she hopes to be able to get the bill unanimously passed so that the package could get to President Trump’s desk quickly for a signature, as many lawmakers are eyeing leaving town as the coronavirus crisis grows.

“Right now what we’re trying to do is work on the substance of this legislation so that we can quickly come to an agreement where we can have unanimous consent,” she told CNN on Tuesday.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Wednesday that he would give 24 hours notice to lawmakers on any impending vote or action.

“Before we can determine when and how the House will consider this legislation, we must have the final legislative text and clear direction on when the Senate will vote,” Hoyer said in a statement. “I remain committed to giving House Members 24 hours notice before the House acts.”

Updated at 2:45 p.m.