27/02/2021
WASHINGTON—The House passed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package, sending the legislation to the Senate as Democrats faced intraparty rifts over the future of a worker-pay increase.
The measure passed early Saturday largely along party lines, 219-212, with two Democrats joining all Republicans in opposition.
Lawmakers will likely alter the legislation before passing it in the Senate, meaning the House will then need to approve the amended bill before sending it to the president’s desk. Democrats are racing to finish the package before March 14, when certain types of federal unemployment assistance are set to expire.
The relief plan would enhance and extend federal unemployment benefits, provide $350 billion to state and local governments, send a $1,400 check to many Americans, and fund vaccine distribution, among other measures. Congress has passed a series of relief measures since the pandemic’s beginning, and Democrats say the latest package will help support the country’s return to normalcy.
“This bill meets the moment, meets the challenge, and we think it’s a great victory for the American people and will get us finally out of this terrible crisis we’ve been facing,” said Rep. John Yarmuth (D., Ky.), the chairman of the House Budget Committee.
Republicans have largely lined up against the legislation, attacking it as too large and wasteful, in particular its provisions for school funding and state and local governments, as the economy shows signs of recovery.
“This isn’t a relief bill. It takes care of Democrats’ political allies while it fails to deliver for American families,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R. Calif.).
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Images Credit: AP
