The Senate passed the largest rescue package in American history on March 27 and, in less than two weeks, has already realized that it may have underfunded important provisions in helping keep the many American small businesses afloat. The Senate could consider offering additional funds in a session as soon as Thursday.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act includes $377 billion to provide relief to support small business owners, with the majority of the support for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides cash flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. It allows forgiveness for up to eight weeks of payroll costs based on employee retention and salary levels, no Small Business Administration fees and six months of complete payment deferral.

Agricultural enterprises that employ 500 or fewer people whose principal place of residence is in the U.S. are eligible, regardless of revenue levels, according to an interpretation of the interim final rule released on April 2.

April 3 was the first day small businesses could apply for the program, which offers 1% interest loans to business with fewer than 500 workers. On Monday morning, the Small Business Administration said more than 100,000 loans had been approved and funded under the program, for a total value of $30 billion.

Related:Concerns rising over farms' access to SBA loan assistance

“Even as the CARES Act continues to come on line, one such need is already clear: The small business Paycheck Protection Program needs more funding,” Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said in a statement April 7.

On Tuesday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), one of the creators of the program, said he asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin "to make a formal request for additional funds as soon as possible. We are working with leader McConnell and his office to get additional money for the Paycheck Protection Program passed by unanimous consent as early as possible. There is a critical need to supplement the fund to ensure America's more than 30 million small businesses will be able to access this critical lifeline."

McConnell stated that he will work with Senate minority leader Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Mnuchin to "approve further funding for the Paycheck Protection Program by unanimous consent or voice vote during the next scheduled Senate session on Thursday."

House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Cal.) and Schumer released a joint statement on Wednesday outlining their priorities for an interim emergency coronavirus relief package.

Congressional Democrats are calling for:

In a press call on Wednesday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said the 15% increase in SNAP benefits is a decision “Congress needs to make.” He did note that he feels that, with the current maximum benefit, “families are being well fed.” Perdue explained that the U.S. Department of Agriculture only provides technical assistance to Congress, and only weighs in on issues when asked to do so.