With Only 6 Members Participating, Senate Passed $483-Billion Spending Bill by ‘Unanimous Consent’, by Terence P. Jeffrey

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a $483-billion spending bill to further aid Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic—with only six members of the 100-member Senate participating.

The bill was approved by the “unanimous consent” of senators—most of whom were not there when that approval was given.

There were likely more people in your local grocery store spending a few dollars on supplies for their families at that moment than were in the Senate chamber—where they were dispensing almost half a trillion dollars.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.-N.Y.) was one of the six members who did participate. He expressed his gratitude to his colleagues—present or not–for their unanimous approval of the bill.

“Now there are plenty of disagreements between our parties these days, but once again we are coming together to pass this legislation by unanimous consent—not a single senator objecting,” said Schumer