According to the Journal, in the original version of the legislation, all workers who received paid sick leave would have been eligible for an additional 10 weeks of leave at two-thirds pay. Democratic aides were, understandably, said to be “alarmed” by the changes, which Congressional leaders have described as “a technical correction” and which were passed without any objections because most lawmakers are away from Washington and were not shown the revisions before the vote.

The new measure also provides the labor secretary additional discretion to exclude emergency responders and health care workers from the initial two weeks of emergency paid sick leave required under the bill. Health care employers, such as nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, had warned lawmakers the original legislation could lead to a shortage of health care workers just as coronavirus cases are surging in the U.S.

To become law the bill must obviously pass the Senate, where some GOP lawmakers have raised objections—not to the mind-boggling loopholes but out of concern that the legislation places too much burden on small businesses.

In more positive news, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the government is “looking at sending checks to Americans immediately,” like in the next two weeks, as part of a package that would also include support for businesses and other measures in an attempt to blunt the economic impact of the virus. Previously an idea that wouldn’t have gotten any support outside the most liberal of circles, it’s even been backed by Mitt Romney, who has suggested sending direct cash payments of $1,000, a proposal also backed by Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton. On Twitter, Jason Fruman, an Barack Obama administration economist, wrote: “I am thrilled to see President [Donald]Trump support cash for families, not a payroll tax cut.”

Also potentially getting economic assistance? Trump’s pals in the casino industry: