Coronavirus bill includes $350 million for migration, refugee assistance

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House looks ahead after Senate passes $2.2T coronavirus stimulus package

The House is preparing for a vote on the relief package unanimously passed by the Senate; Mike Emanuel reports from Capitol Hill.

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The $2 trillion spending package to boost the economy in response to the coronavirus crisis includes a $350 million pot of money for “Migration and Refugee Assistance” -- the latest item in the legislative behemoth that is angering critics.

While a number of items that Republicans objected to got trimmed in the final Senate bill, the Migrant and Refugee Assistance item actually increased by $50 million to $350 million. That's more than the bill put forward by House Democrats earlier this week, which included $300 million in “Migrant and Refugee Assistance” for the State Department.

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Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla, called it a “poison pill” that put “America LAST.”

“Democrats: This is not the time to advance your legislative agenda,” he tweeted before the bill passed the Senate late Wednesday. “This is the time to put #AmericaFirst.’

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The bill ultimately passed the Senate 96-0 and is expected to pass the House in a voice vote on Friday. It includes a number of measures to boost businesses and help individuals hurt by the economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

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But it includes controversial items, such as  $25 million in funding for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The Senate bill also provides $75 million to each the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. That is down from the $300 million for each that was in the House stimulus bill.

Fox News’ Tyler Olson contributed to this report.