The Senate approved the $1.9 trillion CCP (COVID-19) relief bill in a party-line vote on Saturday, March 6, making it one of the largest stimulus packages in U.S. history.
The chamber voted 50-49, with all Republicans but one absent voted against the bill, which is also known as the American Rescue Plan, or H.R. 1319.
It took 12 hours to get all Democrats in line with the vote in the Senate becoming the longest single vote in the modern era and the amended bill now goes back to the House.
The legislation was passed by the House on Feb. 27 by a vote of 219–212, with all Republicans and two Democrats opposing it.
The package was passed in the Senate after several amendments were adopted, including removing the $15 minimum wage, reducing the unemployment bonus on top of the usual unemployment benefit from $400 to $300 per week, and extending the payment of extra unemployment benefit to Sept. 6. Meanwhile, the Republicans have pushed through some three dozen amendments.
BREAKING: Senate Dems pass Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus
Biggest provisions:
— $1,400 checks per adult & kid
— Unemployment @ $300 thru Sept. 6
— $350 billion for cities, states, tribes
— $3K/yr per kid 6-17, $3,600 kids 0-6
— $170B for schools
— $100B public health— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) March 6, 2021
The final bill includes $400 billion in one-time payments of $1,400 checks per adult and child, $300 a week in extended jobless benefits for the 9.5 million people thrown out of work due to the pandemic, and $350 billion in aid to state and local governments affected by the pandemic.
The bill will be returned to the House for reconciliation, which is expected to happen early next week.
