AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Republicans on Thursday said they would not support a House bill designed to counter the economic fallout of the coronavirus.

That put the future of the outbreak response bill in jeopardy hours before Congress was scheduled to leave for a weeklong recess.

The bill would provide free testing for the respiratory illness COVID-19 and expand paid sick leave.

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Republicans on Thursday said they would not support a House bill designed to counter the economic fallout of the coronavirus, putting the future of the outbreak response bill in jeopardy hours before Congress was scheduled to leave for a weeklong recess.

Democrats released around midnight on Wednesday the text of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which would provide free testing for the respiratory illness COVID-19 and expand paid sick leave. It also sought to increase safety-net measures during the outbreak, including through increased food stamps and unemployment benefits.

On Thursday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said lawmakers would cancel the recess and remain in session to negotiate the bill.

The bill was meant to build on an $8 billion coronavirus response package, which was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support within a matter of days last week. But the second package has drawn sharp opposition from key Republicans, with House House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy objecting to various aspects of the paid sick leave mandate and other stipulations.

McCarthy argues that the Social Security Administration should not administer the paid sick leave program because it would take six months to begin check distribution and strain the department. It should also include exemptions and sunset clauses for certain businesses, according to the California Republican.

President Donald Trump has also said he does not support the bill because it included "unrelated issues."

"The White House does not support much of what the Speaker has proposed as currently drafted, but we do support many of the policies reflected in her draft, and are asking that they continue to work with us to find a bipartisan, bicameral agreement," an administration official said.

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose past 1,000 in the US this week, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have signaled an urgency to pass an economic relief package. McCarthy said the legislation shouldn't be rushed but that he hoped it would be finished within 24 to 48 hours.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has continued last-ditch efforts to compromise on the language of the bill with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, urged Republicans to act quickly.

"We don't need 48 hours," Pelosi said. "We need a decision to help families right now."

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