For businesses that were struggling before the pandemic struck, the federal stimulus bill "may not be the economic life preserver companies and their lenders were hoping for."

How regulatory and technological changes of the recent past have made the benefits more accessible to a broader swath of businesses.

Some corporations have turned to pricier term loans or new credit lines rather than tapping existing ones, typically to stay in the good graces of lenders as recession looms.

The bill, passed by voice vote, now goes to President Trump's desk.