Here’s the status of $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan
The House of Representatives is ready this week to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan with $1,400 checks, billions for vaccines, and funds to reopen schools.
The Senate passed the bill over the week after a marathon meeting. When the House has passed the legislation, it will go to Biden for his signature, and then stimulus checks will begin to go out in weeks.
The House is anticipated to pass the bill this week and as early as Tuesday evening. The House Rules Committee must first set the parameters for debate, and then the House must vote to approve the rules of debate.
When the House will approve the rules for debate, lawmakers will initially discuss the bill and afterward vote on final passage, which could happen late in the night Tuesday.
Biden said on Monday that he would sign the legislation “as soon as I get it.”
The House probably will pass the bill. House Democratic leadership has voiced trust in their ability to pass it regardless of whether no Republicans vote in favor of it.
“We’ll pass it, and it’ll get signed into law by the 14th,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., a member of House Democratic leadership, told reporters. Democrats are aiming for that March 14 date because that’s when a federal boost to unemployment benefits expires for millions of Americans.
Democrats hold a slim majority in the House and can’t lose more than four Democrats on the final vote, assuming all Republicans vote against it.
How soon could money arrive?
The president said he will sign the measure“as soon as I can get it,” adding checks will be going “out the door starting this month.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki later said the administration expects “a large number of Americans to receive relief by the end of the month.”
Under changes made by the Senate, most Americans earning up to $75,000 would receive a full payment, and those earning between $75,000 and $80,000 would receive a partial payment. The payments phase out for those earning above $80,000. Unlike previous rounds of checks, adult dependents would receive a full $1,400 payment.
