The Democratic-controlled House is expected to pass the package, which includes $1,400 personal checks and a $400-a-week federal unemployment bonus, on Friday or early Saturday. On Thursday, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that a minimum wage hike, supported by President Biden, cannot be included in the bill.
On Thursday, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that a minimum wage hike cannot be included in the relief legislation. A coalition of progressive, labor and social justice advocacy groups have asked for meetings with both the Vice President’s office and the White House to urge the administration to overrule the parliamentarian and include the $15 minimum wage hike in the Covid relief package.
House lawmakers passed a budget resolution on Feb. 5, 2021 that allowed congressional Democrats to advance legislation for President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 package. Biden praised the Senate vote, adding that the federal government has “a chance to do something big here.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Feb. 5 that House lawmakers will begin drafting legislation in committees next week and aim to pass Biden’s relief plan by the end of February. Crafting Biden’s legislation via the budget reconciliation process will allow congressional Democrats to forgo a potential filibuster, according to Fox New.
