With many wearing medical masks, members of the House of Representatives on Thursday approved the $484 billion financial stimulus relief package for health-care providers, testing, and to replenish a small-business loan program that quickly ran out of money amid the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Democratic-controlled House approved the package after an hours-long debate that featured social distancing, masks and gloves, following Tuesday's Senate passage.

The package allocated $310 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans that can be forgiven if used on payroll or other designated expenses.

Rep. Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican and chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who voted against previous coronavirus relief bills, was the only member of Arizona’s delegation to vote against the stimulus package, which passed 388 to 5.

Biggs previously has cited concern about the impact of the packages on the national debt. On Thursday, he called on governors to reopen their states and "free their citizens immediately."

In explaining his vote, Biggs said he opposed a provision that included billions for state, local and tribal jurisdictions for various purposes, including "surveillance" and "contact tracing."

Contact tracing refers to the public health practice of tracking people who have been in contact with a COVID-19 patient and letting them know themay have been exposed to the coronavirus.

"The bill failed to define these terms, which have been used to spy on Americans," Biggs said in a statement. "... It is reckless and dangerous for America’s leaders to not only sanction abuse of the rights of Americans, but to borrow money to fund these violations.

"The current cure for the coronavirus is most definitely worse than the disease. Not only have we managed to create long-term economic and societal devastation for Americans due to the heavy-handed government response, Congress has added many trillions of dollars to our national debt and expanded our deficit. When we emerge from the health care response to this outbreak, we will be dealing with the consequences that we have inflicted upon ourselves for a very long time."

All of Arizona's House delegation traveled back to vote except for Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva, who said he supported the relief funding.

The House vote came on a day when Arizona cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, exceeded 5,700, with 249 known deaths, according to state health officials.

The House also approved a resolution to create a select subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Reform that can investigate the stimulus spending and the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic. The resolution was approved in a 212-182 vote with all of Arizona's Democratic members voting for it and all of the state's Republican members voting against it.

Republicans railed against the creation of the new panel, with some asserting Democrats could weaponize it to go after Trump and Republicans.

“I call BS,” Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., said on the House floor, where she questioned the need for another panel and suggested the goal of the committee would be to criticize Trump.

President Donald Trump has said he will quickly sign the legislation to get the money — a lifeline for small businesses — flowing soon.

Beyond the Paycheck Protection Program, the legislation passed Thursday includes $60 billion for smaller, disadvantaged businesses, $75 billion for health care providers and hospitals, and $25 billion for a new coronavirus testing program. Of that testing money, an estimated $11 billion will go directly to states.

Thursday’s vote happened as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other Republicans were voicing mounting concerns about the rise in the nation’s debt in part because of the federal stimulus spending intended to lessen the pandemic’s economic impact.

At least 26 million workers have filed for unemployment benefits since the outbreak of the virus. Though plans to start reopening the economy in phases are underway, it is expected to remain slow and sluggish.

Discussions of yet another financial stimulus package are already in progress.

McConnell said Wednesday that state and local governments should “use the bankruptcy route” instead of relying on financial assistance from the federal government.

Democrats wanted but did not get direct funding to help local governments deal with the economic fallout. They argue that the next relief package should include the funding to help the governments stay afloat.

Through a spokeswoman, Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., declined to comment about McConnell’s proposal.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who talks with Arizona mayors each week about the impact of the pandemic on their communities, said in a written statement bankruptcy isn’t an option for Arizona or its cities and towns. The mayors have told Sinema federal assistance for their communities is crucial.

“Partisan politics in Washington shouldn't put responsible states like Arizona — or our cities, towns, or counties that operate on shoestring budgets — at risk of bankruptcy,” Sinema’s statement said. “Declaring bankruptcy would mean cuts to firefighters, police, health services, and job and business opportunities. We have bipartisan support in the Senate for revenue-replacement to keep our states, counties, and cities strong and thriving.”

Have news to share about Arizona's U.S. senators or national politics? Reach the reporter on Twitter and Facebook. Contact her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com and 602-444-4712.

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