Congress approves another $484 billion to help people and businesses hit by coronavirus’ economic crisis
The bill will temporarily replenish about $320 billion into a forgivable loan fund earmarked for small businesses. Full Story
Abby Livingston joined The Texas Tribune in 2014 as the publication's first Washington bureau chief, and departed August 2022. In this role, she covered members in the Texas congressional delegation and campaigns back in the home state. A seventh-generation Texan, Abby grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to the Tribune, Abby worked for NBC, CNN, National Journal and Roll Call. At the Tribune, she won the 2017 National Press Club Award for Washington regional reporting and the Society of Professional Journalists' 2018 Sigma Delta Chi Award for Washington correspondence. Abby is a contributing writer to the Almanac of American Politics and frequently appears on MSNBC, CNN and Sirius XM radio. She also had a role on an episode of "The Bold and The Beautiful." In keeping with the Trib’s great history of hiring softball stars, Abby is a three-time MVP (the most in game history) for The Bad News Babes, the women’s press softball team that takes on female members of Congress in the annual Congressional Women’s Softball breast cancer charity game.
The bill will temporarily replenish about $320 billion into a forgivable loan fund earmarked for small businesses. Full Story
Congress is preparing to send billions more to businesses. Some say the first round of money was depleted as larger enterprises beat smaller businesses to the punch. Full Story
Many businesses without accountants, lawyers or other professional help failed to get their applications in for the Paycheck Protection Program funds before the money was depleted. Full Story
Companies trying to prevent layoffs are turning to banks, accountants and nonprofits to help them apply for federal assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law. Full Story
The historic legislation, worth more than $2 trillion, heads to the U.S. House on Friday after the Senate passed it unanimously. Full Story
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News on Monday that he would rather perish from the new coronavirus than see the economy destroyed for his grandchildren by overreaction to the disease. Full Story
Several reports had suggested that Gohmert could have delayed the bill's passage by days. Full Story
"I think it would be hard to tell people that I’m out here running to make their lives better while at the same time putting their lives at risk," said one state House candidate. Full Story
Nineteen of the 38 Texas members of Congress are over the age of 60, the age at which medical professionals say people are at most risk for serious complications from the virus. Full Story