NewsNational Politics

Actions

Senate leaders, Manchin agree on virus bill jobless benefits

Joe Manchin, John Cornyn
Posted
and last updated

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate leaders and moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin have struck a deal over emergency jobless benefits, breaking a nine-hour logjam that had stalled the party’s showpiece $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.

The compromise, announced by the West Virginia lawmaker and a Democratic aide, seems to clear the way for the Senate to begin a climactic, marathon series of votes expected to lead to approval of the sweeping legislation.

Democrats had already set aside one battle over boosting the minimum wage.

Manchin is probably the chamber’s most conservative Democrat, and a kingmaker in a 50-50 Senate that leaves his party without a vote to spare.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Sunday

03/29/2026

Mostly Sunny

88° / 60°

0%

Monday

03/30/2026

Mostly Cloudy

88° / 62°

0%

Tuesday

03/31/2026

PM Showers

73° / 56°

42%

Wednesday

04/01/2026

Mostly Sunny

76° / 53°

12%

Thursday

04/02/2026

AM Clouds/PM Sun

70° / 46°

24%

Friday

04/03/2026

Mostly Sunny

74° / 50°

2%

Saturday

04/04/2026

Sunny

82° / 53°

0%

Sunday

04/05/2026

Sunny

87° / 57°

0%