Mnuchin seeks 'big number' for additional coronavirus U.S. stimulus package

[March 17, 2020]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking to reporters on Monday after a meeting with Senate Republicans, said he was seeking a "big number" for an additional stimulus package intended to prop up the economy amid the coronavirus outbreak, but he did not elaborate.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testifies before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the President's FY2021 Budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

One Senate Republican, Marco Rubio, told reporters that Mnuchin had asked Republicans to move on an additional measure targeting airlines and small businesses this week.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he aimed to win Senate passage of a coronavirus response bill that has already passed in the House of Representatives.

(Reporting by Eric Beech)

[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.