California deputy Ted Lieu announced that Joe Biden’s broad stimulus plan, which includes highly anticipated direct payments of $ 1,400, will be approved by the House next week. His comments came a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated that Democrats intend to approve the $ 1.9 trillion economic aid plan before the end of February.
House Democrats formally released the full text of Biden’s bill on Friday. In addition to checks, it also includes $ 350 billion in aid from the state and local government; an extension of $ 400 federal unemployment benefits; and additional money for small businesses – as well as money to help schools reopen and distribute and test the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are going to pass the American Rescue Plan legislation next week. It is a very good project. And it is what the American people need during this challenging time,” tweeted Lieu on Friday night, alongside a comprehensive analysis of the project.
We will pass the American Rescue Plan legislation next week. It is a very good account. And that is what the American people need during this challenging time. https://t.co/xchZvIeC2L
– Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 20, 2021
On Thursday, Pelosi said he expected a vote in the lower house “sometime at the end of next week”, but did not expressly commit to the date. About two weeks ago, Pelosi had said that Congress “will finish our work before the end of February”.
Democrats have paved the way for a vote that will allow the plan to pass without amendment to accommodate fiscally conservative Republicans who oppose its price. Once the measure is passed by the House, Senate Democrats will be able to approve it through a budget process called reconciliation.
As it stands, the package is unlikely to win any support from Republicans in Congress, who have asked their colleagues across the political corridor to return to the negotiating table for a bipartisan agreement.
“It is clear that Democrats have no interest in addressing COVID’s relief in a timely and targeted manner and are instead using the reconciliation process to interfere with their liberal wish-list agenda,” said the president’s office. minority, Steve Scalise.
Biden responded on Friday to opposition from the Republican Party by expressing a willingness to make cuts to the measure, but with Pelosi and Lieu’s timeline and growing pressure from Americans, it is unclear whether there will be time for further discussions.
“I am grateful that the Senate and the House are moving quickly and I am prepared to hear your ideas on how to improve the package and make it cheaper. I am open to that,” said the president at a COVID -19 vaccine production plant.
The bill will need to be signed into law after it passes Congress, and it will take the IRS about a week to start processing checks.
Newsweek contacted Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell for comment.
Stefani Reynolds / Getty