Mitch McConnell

The House majority leader initially told House Democrats the chamber would convene next week. A bipartisan task force is looking at options for remote voting and committee work.

Both Republicans and Democrats agreed that a small-business program that ran out of money needed a major infusion. Negotiators also added resources for hospitals and testing.

The schedule change, which followed the advice of health experts, comes as talks stalled on Republicans' push to boost funding for a small business program.

Senate Majority Leader McConnell wants another $250 billion for small businesses. Top Democrats are asking for $250 billion more for state and local governments, but the White House is pushing back.

The emergency relief package includes direct payments to Americans, expanded unemployment insurance, aid to large and small businesses, and significant funding for the health care industry.

The House speaker said a Senate agreement could be "done in the next few hours." The remarks are a boost for an approximately $2 trillion deal to revitalize an economy hobbled by the outbreak.

The Senate is hoping for a vote on Monday, but congressional leaders said on Sunday they have yet to reach agreement on what would be the largest bill yet in response to the outbreak.

The House is in recess, but senators return to Washington this week to take up the House-passed financial aid bill to address the economic threat to workers posed by the coronavirus.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he expects senators to take up the plan in the next two weeks.

Changing the deadline is one way ERA proponents are trying to make the amendment part of the Constitution, but there isn't legal consensus on the tactic, and the Senate is expected to kill the bill.