Treasury Chief Backs $20 Billion for US Airlines Payroll

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday he backs another $20 billion in additional government payroll support for U.S. airlines.

"I think that would be very meaningful in terms of employment and saving the industry," Mnuchin said at a House hearing. A bipartisan proposal released Tuesday called for $17 billion in payroll support for airlines to extend the program for four months.

In October, American Airlines and United Airlines furloughed more than 32,000 workers after a prior $25 billion payroll assistance program expired.

Airlines spent months seeking a new bailout and have won overwhelming support in the U.S. Congress, but lawmakers have been reluctant to support airlines, while other transportation modes like transit, buses, and rail railroad Amtrak are also seeking emergency aid.

The Treasury separately offered $25 billion in loans to airlines; to date it has approved more than $21 billion in loans, including $7.5 billion for both American and United.

Mnuchin also said he backed aid for the struggling private motorcoach industry. The bipartisan proposal released Tuesday would extend $8 billion to bus companies.