The Senate's effort to move congressional bill #3 to address the coronavirus crisis hit a roadblock March 22, as a procedural motion failed over Democratic opposition to a revised Republican draft that was released earlier March 22 following bipartisan negotiations. The development leaves the next steps in the process unknown.

The Senate vote, which was cloture to limit debate on the motion to proceed to the bill, does not hamper the chamber's chances to move a bill forward when agreement is reached, and can be repeated at that time. Senator McConnell will likely move to reconsider the vote and, when there is a bipartisan agreement, reconsider the cloture vote, if necessary. If a bipartisan agreement is reached, the process can be expedited.

The vote followed a tumultuous day on Capitol Hill. A meeting among Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) ended without bipartisan agreement. Speaker Pelosi said after the meeting, "We'll be introducing our own bill."

More talks followed in an effort to resolve Democratic issues with the latest version of the Senate Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It is not known how much of the draft circulated earlier, which includes several tax and other changes from the original version of the Senate Republican proposal presented on March 19, will be retained in an eventual agreement that can pass the House and Senate.

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