The United States House of Representatives approved a massive $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package early Saturday – the sixth COVID bill since the pandemic began a year ago.
The vote around 2 am ET was 219-212.
Two Democrats voted against his party’s plan: US deputies Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon. Both lawmakers also opposed a $ 3 trillion bill last May, which ended up failing.
Not a single Republican supported Saturday’s bill.
About two hours before the vote, minority leader in the House, Kevin McCarthy, ridiculed the proposal as a “Pelosi Compensation Project”.
McCarthy, R-Calif., Further described the legislation as “the Democratic’s liberal, corrupt and expensive spending package”, which he claimed to mean: “The swamp is back.”
His comments were made on Friday by his office, with plans to deliver them to the House floor soon after.
HOUSE TO VOTE ON THE $ 1.9 T BIDEN CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE INCLUDING $ 1,400 STIMULUS CHECKS
“Congress will not vote on this bill until 2 am on Saturday,” said McCarthy. “Why? Because the Democrats are so ashamed of all the non-COVID waste in this bill that they are cracking it down in the dead of night.
Mayor, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., And Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. (Associated Press)
“We ran the numbers,” added McCarthy. “The amount of money that actually goes to defeat the virus is less than 9 percent – less than 9 percent! So don’t call it a bailout bill. Don’t call it a relief bill. Call it compensation. of Pelosi. “
Many Republicans were especially opposed to Democrats’ efforts to include a $ 15 minimum wage as part of the package. But that effort faced a setback in the Senate this week, when MP Elizabeth MacDonough decided that the inclusion of the $ 15 plan would violate Senate rules.
Just before midnight on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended the bill in comments on the floor of the House, stating that the $ 15 minimum wage target would be achieved in one way or another, regardless of MacDonough’s decision in the Senate.
“It is inevitable for all of us, the minimum wage of $ 15 will be reached,” said Pelosi, “even if it is inconceivable for some, it is inevitable for us – and we will work diligently to bridge the gap between the inevitable and the inconceivable.”
Lawmakers were rushing to send the passed legislation to President Biden’s desk by March 14, when major unemployment benefits programs for millions are about to expire.
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The proposal contains a third $ 1,400 stimulus check for Americans earning less than $ 75,000 annually, increases unemployment benefits to $ 400 a week by the end of August, expands the child tax credit to up to $ 3,600 per child, includes $ 350 billion for state and local government funding and allocates $ 170 billion to K-12 schools and higher education institutions to cover reopening costs.
Republican Party lawmakers questioned the need for an additional $ 2 trillion, accusing their liberal colleagues of using the bill as a means of approving a “Democratic wish list”.
Fox Business’s Megan Henney contributed to this story.