Trump seeks economic stimulus that will send checks to Americans

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A bold plan from the White House Tuesday as the Trump administration steps up efforts to battle the economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY STEVEN MNUCHIN SAYING:

"Americans need cash now. And the president wants to get cash now. And I mean now in the next two weeks."

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Tuesday said the Trump administration is considering an extraordinary plan to cut checks to Americans as jobs and wages are lost and businesses shutter.

While Mnuchin stopped short of saying how much Americans could potentially expect to receive, he indicated those better-off may be excluded.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY STEVEN MNUCHIN SAYING:

"I think it's clear - we don't need to send people making a million dollars a year - checks."

The announcement comes as the Trump administration on Tuesday pitched Senate Republicans on a stimulus plan with a price tag that grew throughout the day, officials promising it could pump as much as $1 trillion into the U.S. economy.

The virus has caused American life to come to a screeching halt, with officials escalating "social distancing" policies by closing schools, bars, restaurants and theaters across major cities and telling Americans to avoid unnecessary travel.

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:

"With this invisible enemy, we don't want airlines going out of business, we don't want Americans losing their jobs or not having money to live when they were doing very well 4 weeks ago."

The reeling airlines industry is seeking $50 billion in aid from the government and it appears officials are listening.

According to sources, the massive stimulus package the Trump administration is seeking from congress includes relief for airlines.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY STEVEN MNUCHIN SAYING:

"This is worse than 9/11 for the airline industry, they are almost grinding to a halt."

Aside from the stimulus plan the White House is pursuing, the Senate on Tuesday is expected to take up a multibillion-dollar emergency spending bill passed by Democratic-led House of Representatives over the weekend.

And to those Republicans unhappy with the bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell on Tuesday had some stern words.

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL SAYING:

"A number of my members think there are considerable shortcomings in the House bill, my counsel is to gag and vote for it anyway."

McConnell said the Senate is working to quickly pass the House bill but said it was too early to tell if he supported elements of a White House coronavirus stimulus plan.