McConnell unveils economic rescue plan amid virus shutdown

ANDREW TAYLOR and LISA MASCARO Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled a sweeping economic rescue plan Thursday to pump $1,200 direct checks to taxpayers, $300 billion for small businesses to keep idled workers on payroll and $208 billion in loans to airlines and other industries. It's the initial Republican offer on the biggest legislative package yet to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. The GOP leader's effort builds on President Donald Trump's request for Congress to "go big" as lawmakers race to craft a $1 trillion economic aid and stimulus package amid the pandemic crisis and nationwide shutdown that's hurtling the country toward a likely recession. "We need to take bold and swift action as soon as possible," McConnell, announcing