A partisan stalemate deepened Thursday over the next steps needed in providing coronavirus financial relief.

The impasse derailed an attempt by Senate Republicans to add $251 billion to a dwindling fund for small-business loans, as Democrats pushed for a broader relief effort.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sought unanimous consent for legislation to replenish the loan fund, but Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee ranking member Benjamin L. Cardin objected.

That was after McConnell, R-Ky., objected to amending the GOP legislation with Democrats' proposal for a broader, $500 billion-plus aid package. That measure would make changes to the small-business program, including allocating a portion of the funds to rural and underserved communities while tacking on additional relief for states, hospitals and low-income households.

Leaders of both parties made clear they disagreed over how quickly more money is needed for small-business loans and whether the next package must include more funding for hospitals and state and local governments, among other things.