Democrats advance Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package
Democrats forged ahead with President Joe Biden’s $1.9trn coronavirus relief plan early on Saturday, holding back Republican attempts to modify the package.
With Republicans united in opposition, Democrats who narrowly control the chamber must keep all 50 of their members on board in order to pass the package, as they hope to do this weekend.
During the marathon Senate session, which had begun the prior day, progress ground to a halt for more than 11 hours as Democrats negotiated a compromise on unemployment benefits to satisfy centrists.
With the issue resolved, the chamber then moved to a series of Republican attempts to modify the bill. The first attempt – to adjourn for the evening – fell short by a vote of 48 to 50.
The coronavirus has killed more than 521,000 in the United States, thrown millions out of work and upended most aspects of American life.
The relief legislation includes funding for vaccines and medical supplies, extends jobless assistance and provides a new round of emergency financial aid to households, small businesses and state and local governments.
Opinion polls indicate broad public support for the package.
Democrats hope to get it to Biden to sign into law before some current benefits expire on March 14.
Unemployment aid is just one of many friction points in the sweeping bill. An attempt to raise the minimum wage fell short earlier in the day, and Democrats had earlier modified the bill to steer more aid to smaller states and cities.
The version passed by the House last Saturday calls for $400 per week in jobless benefits until 29 August, on top of state benefits, to help Americans who have lost jobs amid the economic trauma caused by the coronavirus.
The compromise would lower that weekly benefit to $300, but extend it through September 6, according to a Democratic aide. The first $10,200 would be tax-free.
The agreement also extends a tax break for businesses for an additional year through 2026.
Biden supports the compromise, the White House said.
If the Senate passes the bill, the House would have to sign off on those changes before Biden could sign it into law.