Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) On Wednesday paralyzed President Biden’s final $ 1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill by forcing a nearly one-hour vote on a motion to suspend the House of Representatives.
The House was expected to pass the American Rescue Plan Act around noon, but Greene’s motion forced a lengthy vote due to pandemic restrictions that require few lawmakers to vote at any given time.
The motion to postpone was defeated by 149-235, with 41 Republicans voting against it.
Greene said that “$ 1.9 trillion in spending is reckless, irresponsible and the wrong thing to do.”
“We still have $ 1 trillion set aside for COVID’s spending relief. There is no need to enslave the American people, our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren and future generations with more debt, ”she said.
“We have a debt of US $ 28 trillion. This Congress is going through unbelievable things at a rapid pace. This must be stopped. We have to take a break and consider what we are doing. This is a waste of money and a complete waste of time. Reopening America is a much better way to go. “
Greene is a controversial freshman legislator. Last month, Democrats and 11 Republicans voted to remove it from House committees because of their adherence to a number of conspiracy theories. Greene portrayed these beliefs, including the doubt that a plane hit the Pentagon on September 11 and the suggestion that mass shootings were carried out by gun control activists.
Democrats said they were outraged that Greene hampered the process to approve Biden’s first major legislative achievement as president – which, if passed before noon, would mark his approval during Biden’s first 50 days in office.
Representative Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee, told reporters: “Honestly, I think it is unscrupulous that they are doing everything they can to try, again, to delay receiving assistance to women. people, including their constituents who are in desperate need. “
Republicans say the bill, passed by the Senate on Saturday, is poorly focused and that much of the funds will not be spent until the end of the pandemic. For example, it offers more than $ 120 billion for K-12 schools, but the Congressional Budget Office estimates that more than 90% will not be spent in 2021 because the funds approved for schools last year were not spent.
The project provides $ 1,400 stimulus checks for adults who earn up to $ 75,000 a year, with lower amounts for those who earn between $ 75,000 and $ 80,000. An extra check of $ 1,400 is granted for each dependent child, but in a change from previous stimulus checks, adult income limits apply to checks for your children as well.
Parents also earn a new annual tax credit of $ 3,000 to $ 3,600 per child on the account, up from $ 2,000 per child today.
He extends a $ 300 weekly unemployment insurance supplement until September 6.
The package contains $ 350 billion in state and local aid and $ 75 billion for COVID-19 vaccinations, tests and other pandemic medical supplies. The New York City government is expected to receive about $ 6 billion; the New York state government will receive more than $ 12.5 billion.
The bill also establishes 15 weeks of paid leave for federal workers, including US Post Office employees, for reasons related to COVID-19, including caring for children who do not have a school or day care, and creates a new $ US grant program. 25 billion specifically for bars and restaurants that will make up for lost revenue.