The War Room of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) released on Saturday a new video targeting House Republicans for voting against a $ 1.9 trillion package that aims to provide financial relief to Americans in the midst of the pandemic.
The video, which the DNC posted on Twitter Saturday afternoon, includes news coverage from House Democrats passing the stimulus package in a vote of 219-212 early in the morning.
Two Democrats – Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader
Walter (Kurt) Kurt SchraderHouse Democrats pass broad COVID-19 .9T relief bill with minimum wage increase House must vote tightly on the COVID-19 relief package. (Ore.) – joined all Republicans in voting against the bill.
The DNC video describes that the package, dubbed the “American Rescue Plan”, includes funding for the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine, reopening schools and assistance for rent.
The package also includes an additional $ 400 in weekly unemployment benefits, as well as a single stimulus payment of up to $ 1,400 for individuals or $ 2,800 for couples.
The video then cuts to news coverage of the bill on MSNBC, which highlighted national polls indicating that the majority of Americans support the bill based on President Biden’s proposal.
ONE Morning consultation / political poll conducted last week found that 76 percent of registered voters supported the stimulus package, with 52 percent saying they supported it “strongly”.
NEW VIDEO: Last night, House Democrats voted to send help to American families, distribute vaccines, extend unemployment insurance, reopen schools and more.
The American people overwhelmingly support @POTUS‘American rescue plan. However, not a single Republican voted in favor. pic.twitter.com/B6FVYPPKdJ
– DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) February 27, 2021
In a CNN segment included in the DNC video, correspondent Abby Phillip says, “Republicans didn’t care enough to come up on this issue.”
“You may disagree with the details of the bill, but the idea that the exemption from COVID is not something of extreme importance, I think everyone can agree with that,” he added.
In a statement shared with The Hill, DNC War Room spokesman Daniel Wessel said: “Democrats, Republicans and independents across the country have made it clear that they support President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. ”
“However, last night, instead of joining the Democrats in approving the much-needed stimulus plan to deliver thousands of dollars of relief to those who need it most, Republicans voted to leave millions of families lifeless,” he added.
Republicans before Saturday’s vote expressed particular opposition to a component of the bill that seeks to raise the federal minimum wage from the current $ 7.25 an hour to $ 15.
While the Senate Parliamentarian ruled on Thursday that the minimum wage increase would not be in line with the budget rules required to pass bills in the reconciliation process, House Democrats opted to maintain the minimum wage provision in the bill as a demonstration of support for progressive priority.
THE The package is now being sent to the Senate, where Democrats are likely to amend it next week, before returning it to the House for approval.
Democrats hope to finalize the bill before unemployment insurance benefits expire on March 14.