Senate to Vote on $500B COVID-19 Relief Bill, Extension of Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses

What’s happening in Congress?

• The Senate returns this week for votes on a standalone extension of the Paycheck Protection Program’s (PPP) forgivable small business loans, in addition to a $500 billion coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package.
• Additionally, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to advance Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor, where initial debate over her confirmation could begin as early as this weekend or early next week.
• The House isn’t expected to hold votes this week as lawmakers continue their pre-election recess, but the chamber could convene and vote with at least 24 hours of notice.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• While the Senate’s voting for Monday is yet to be finalized, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that the Senate will vote Tuesday on a standalone extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides forgivable loans to small businesses impacted by the pandemic to help cover payroll and other operating expenses. That will be followed by a vote Wednesday on a $500 billion COVID-19 relief package.
• It’s unclear whether Democrats will allow either bill to advance, as each will require at least 60 votes for a cloture motion to succeed and Democrats blocked a $500 billion COVID-19 relief bill in September. Democrats have continued to insist that any relief bill exceed $2.2 trillion.
• The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 1pm ET on Thursday to vote on advancing Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor. McConnell is expected to then file cloture on her nomination Friday, which by rule would spend Saturday “ripening” before a vote could be held as early as Sunday.
• For nominations, invoking cloture only requires a simple majority, which Republicans say they have. Once the Senate votes to “invoke cloture” it limits debate on the nomination to an additional 30 hours. If the Senate votes on Sunday, Barrett’s confirmation vote could occur as early as Monday, October 26th, although it could occur in the middle or later parts of the week depending on the timing of the Senate’s cloture vote.
• Additionally, the Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the implementation of the VA MISSION Act, which made it easier for veterans to receive medical care at private healthcare providers in their communities.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House is continuing its pre-election recess and isn’t expected to return for votes until Monday, November 16th.
• Lawmakers may be recalled for votes with at least 24 hours of notice.

Check below throughout the week to see the vote results and updates to the schedule.

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Motion to proceed to H.J.Res. 90: Community Reinvestment Act CRA Not agreed to 43-48.
• Democratic motion to adjourn until November 9th Tabled 48-43.

Tuesday

• McConnell motion to table the motion to concur with an amendment to S. 178: Legislative vehicle for a standalone extension of the Paycheck Protection Program Not agreed to 40-57.
• Schumer motion to table the motion to proceed to S. 4675: Tillis Protect Act Not agreed to 42-52.
• Motion to proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Michael Jay Newman to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Agreed to 52-43.
• Motion to table the Schumer motion to adjourn Agreed to 52-43.

Wednesday after 1pm

• Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S. 178: Legislative vehicle for the $500 billion COVID-19 relief package Not invoked 51-44.
• Motion to table the Schumer point of order (no SCOTUS nominee this close to an election) Agreed to 51-44.
• Motion to table the Schumer motion to adjourn Agreed to 53-41.

Thursday after 1pm

• Schumer motion to proceed to legislative session Not agreed to 45-51.
• Cloture motion on the nomination of Michael Jay Newman to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Invoked 66-31.
• Confirmation of Michael Jay Newman to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio Confirmed 67-30.
• Motion to table the Schumer appeal of the chair's ruling that the Barrett nomination was reported out of the Judiciary Committee according to its rules Tabled 53-44.
• Motion to recess until Friday, October 23rd Agreed to 53-43.

Friday

• Motion to proceed to legislative session Agreed to 53-43.
• Motion to proceed to open session Agreed to.
• Motion to proceed to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Agreed to 51-46.
• Motion to table the Schumer motion to indefinitely postpone the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Agreed to 53-44.
• Motion to table the Schumer motion to recommit the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court back to the Judiciary Committee Agreed to 53-44.
• Motion to table the Schumer motion to adjourn Agreed to 53-43.
• Motion to recess until Saturday, October 24th Agreed to 53-43.

Saturday

• No votes are expected.

Sunday at 1pm

• Cloture motion on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

HOUSE

• No votes are expected but could be scheduled with 24 hours notice.

Tell your reps how to vote on this week's bills and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell