Trump signs $484B aid bill for hospitals and businesses

President Donald Trump on Friday signed a $484 billion package to help small businesses, hospitals and first responders, as well as increase nationwide testing for the coronavirus.

The bill is the latest effort by the federal government to help keep afloat businesses that have had to close or dramatically alter their operations as states try to slow the spread of the virus. Over the past five weeks, roughly 26 million people have filed for jobless aid, or about 1 in 6 U.S. workers.

Trump thanked Congress for “answering my call” to provide the critical assistance and said it was “a tremendous victory.” But easy passage of this aid installment belies a potentially bumpier path ahead for future legislation to address the crisis.