AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The US government could soon send Americans emergency cash to mitigate the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic.

The outbreak has caused severe disruptions for businesses and workers across the nation.

The checks could be sent within two weeks, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday.

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The US government could soon send Americans emergency cash to mitigate the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused severe disruptions for businesses and workers across the nation.

"We're looking at sending checks to Americans immediately," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at a Tuesday press conference.

"Americans need cash now, and the president wants to get cash now," Mnuchin added. "And I mean now in the next two weeks."

The initial checks could be more than $1,000. Standing alongside Mnuchin, President Donald Trump signaled support for such a policy and said it could be implemented rapidly.

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"We're going to do something that gets money to them as quickly as possible," the president said.

As concerns about the health and economic threats of the coronavirus outbreak have escalated in recent days, bipartisan lawmakers have pressed for various plans to administer emergency lump-sum payments to households.

Senate Democrats, including Michael Bennet of Colorado, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, and Cory Booker of New Jersey, circulated a proposal this week that would provide American adults and children with up to $4,500 each.

Contact this reporter at gheeb@businessinsider.com.

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