WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senate negotiators on Thursday reached agreement on legislation that would double the period of time that small businesses can use paycheck protection program loans, to 16 weeks compared to the current eight-week limit, according to a Senate aide.

The legislation, aimed at revising a program created in late March to help small businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, would also extend the loan application deadline until December 31, from the current June 30.

Republican Senator Susan Collins said the bill was introduced in the Senate just before lawmakers were hoping for a week-long hiatus.

Senators, however, abandoned attempts to rush the measure in the Senate on Thursday, which would have required the unanimous consent of all senators. It was not clear when a Senate vote would take place.

The legislation, also subject to passage by the House of Representatives, would give small businesses more flexibility in the use of funds, such as purchasing personal protective equipment for workers and other revisions to facilities for help control the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus.

A bill calls for 24 weeks for the use of loans, which can be converted into grants if companies meet all the requirements. Many small businesses find that they cannot meet the current eight week loan requirement.

A total of $ 659 billion has been provided by Congress for the loan program, which is part of a larger emergency coronavirus aid totaling around $ 3 trillion to date.