Both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the measure with large majorities, although lawmakers had only a few hours to examine the more than 5,000-page bill. It approved 1.4 trillion dollars in spending to keep the U.S. government operating.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill in the coming days.
The legislation comes after weeks of negotiations. Congressional leaders from both parties debated how much government assistance should be provided in coronavirus aid and whether the aid should center on help to individuals or businesses.
The United States is experiencing a sharp and growing rise in COVID-19 infections. The country recorded more than 18 million confirmed cases as of Monday night. More than 319,000 Americans have died of the disease, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reports.
"The American people can rest assured that more help is on the way, immediately," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican.
Democrats say the aid measure is just a first step of what will come after President-elect Joe Biden take office on January 20.
Biden wrote about the bill's passage on Twitter. He praised the progress but said "our work is far from over."
"Starting in the new year, Congress will need to immediately get to work on support for our COVID-19 plan," he wrote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said anyone who considers the new aid as enough, in his words, "hasn't heard the desperation in the voices of their constituents, has not looked into the eyes of the small business owner on the brink of ruin."
Any proposals for additional spending will be highly dependent on two January 5 runoff elections for Senate seats. Both are in the state of Georgia. The results will decide which party controls the Senate.
I'm Caty Weaver.
VOA News reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
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