US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin suggested there will be a fourth stimulus package to handle the effects of coronavirus, which could include hazard pay for first responders, as the President suggested earlier today.
“I think I agree with the President. I think that makes a lot of sense,” Mnuchin told Fox Business of potential hazard pay, adding that it will be “definitely something we will put in the next bill.”
The negotiation team is not yet working on a fourth bill, he said, noting that the Treasury Department is “working around the clock” to get the third stimulus programs up and running, but “We’re ready to work with Congress if we need more enhancements or additional funds.”
He added, “If we run out of money and this is a huge success, we will absolutely go back to Congress and ask for more money.”
Mnuchin reiterated that this will be a rough quarter and the administration is “sympathetic” to those who have lost their jobs.
“I think we’re going to have a rough quarter because we’ve shut down major parts of the economy,” he said.
He said loans through the Small Business Administration should be available starting on Friday, and documents and instructions will be released “later today,” calling it a “very simple process.”