U.S. House okays $55 billion in new COVID aid for restaurants, other hard-hit firms

WASHINGTON – A majority of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted to approve a $55 billion COVID-19 aid bill aimed at helping restaurants and other businesses that continue to struggle through the pandemic.

Voting was continuing on the bill that was headed toward passage. It will then be sent to the Senate for consideration.

A Chinese restaurant and barber shop in Harlem are closed, as retail sales suffer record drop during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, New York, U.S., April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Bryan R Smith/