Lawmakers on the stimulus bill

Boosting paycheck protection program

Bag./// a nearly $480 billion stimulus deal is heading to the house for approval.

It's the fourth in a series of government financial relief packages.

The senate gave it the green light yesterday.

Now kimt news 3's annalise johnson is speaking to one of the minnesota lawmakers who had a hand in passing it.

She joins us live.

Annalise?

Katie?

George?

I'm here on first and third in downtown rochester?

A hub of bars and restaurants with shuttered doors.

Small businesses here and all over the country are hurting?

And the money from the paycheck protection program that was meant to help them?

Quickly ran dry.

This new stimulus deal is replenishing that program?

Putting more than 30?billion dollars back in to help businesses.

It also designates money for hospitals and efforts to expand testing.

I spoke virtually to u.s. senator tina smith today... she thinks the senate isn't anywhere near done assisting americans during the pandemic.xxx i think we need to be dealing right now with the response that is so necessary but we also also need to look at what we need to build back stronger.

How do we look at how to improve the way our economy works, the way our healthcare system works going forward.

For me, it senator smith tells me she thinks one of the most important things the senate can do right now is help expand testing to protect the health of as many americans as possible... which minnesota governor tim walz just announced the state is doing today.

Live in rochester annalise thank you annalise.

The senate passed this package by a voice vote?

While working from home.

The u.s. house of representative s is expected to vote on the package when they meet tomorrow.//