The US House of Representatives passed President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill on Wednesday with a vote of 220-211. Biden’s press secretary announced that he will sign the bill at the White House on Friday afternoon. The vote wrapped up a days-long process of debate and deliberation over the relief package.
The president won’t sign the stimulus checks set to be delivered this month, according to the White House. Saturday’s so-called “vote-a-rama” on bill amendments lasted more than 25 hours. The bill provides direct payments of up to $1,400 for most Americans, extended emergency unemployment benefits and more.
On Wednesday morning, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene unsuccessfully called for a vote to adjourn the House of Representatives in an attempt to delay final passage of the bill.
“$1.9 trillion in spending is reckless, irresponsible, and the wrong thing to do,” Green said on the House floor ahead of the chamber’s scheduled debate on the stimulus bill. “This Congress is ramming through unbelievable things at a rapid pace…this is a waste of money and a complete waste of time.”
The latest relief bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks, $300-a-week jobless benefits until Sept. 6, Child allowance up to $3,600, $350 billion for state and local aid, $34 billion for Affordable Care Act subsidies and $14 billion vaccine distribution.
“For weeks now, an overwhelming percentage of Americans – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans – have made it clear they support the American Rescue Plan,” President Biden said after his bill passed. “Today, with final passage in the House of Representatives, their voice has been heard.”
Biden continued to say the country can now move forward with the resources needed to vaccinate the nation. as well as expand coverage and help by lowering health care premiums. This bill also give small businesses the necessary resources they need to stay open.
“This legislation is about giving the backbone of this nation – the essential workers, the working people who built this country, the people who keep this country going – a fighting chance,” Biden said. “On Friday, I look forward to signing the American Rescue Plan into law at the White House – a people’s law at the people’s house.”
