A breakthrough on the $900 billion coronavirus relief package came late Saturday in a fight over Federal Reserve emergency powers that was resolved by the Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, and conservative Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

It took a while, but Congress has reached a deal on a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. The proposal would establish temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefits and $600 direct stimulus payments to most Americans.

Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed the deal today. Senate leaders announced the agreement that would also provide a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction.

The House is expected to vote on the legislation Monday. The Senate, too, is likely to vote on the proposal.

A breakthrough came late Saturday in a fight over Federal Reserve emergency powers that was resolved by the Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, and conservative Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. That led to a final round of negotiations.

The final agreement is the largest spending measure yet. It combines COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion government-wide funding plan and lots of other unrelated measures on taxes, health, infrastructure and education.

Passage is nearing as coronavirus cases and deaths spike and evidence piles up that the economy is struggling.

Read more in Monday's Butler Eagle