- President Joe Biden scored his first legislative win as the House of Representatives passed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Saturday.
- The American Rescue Plan would pay for vaccines and medical supplies and send a new round of emergency financial aid.
- The beneficiaries would be households, small businesses and state and local governments.
- The bill’s big-ticket items include $1,400 direct payments to individuals, a $400-per-week federal unemployment benefit through Aug. 29.
- The bill will also help those in difficulty paying rents and home mortgages during the pandemic.
A recent news article published in the Reuters highlights the passing of the bill concerning $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.
Support from Americans
This critical legislation has support from Americans across the country and the political spectrum, and yet Republicans in Congress are trying to stand in the way.
The president has focused his first weeks in office on tackling the greatest U.S. public health crisis in a century, which has upended most aspects of American life.
National hourly minimum wage
The House-passed bill would raise the national hourly minimum wage for the first time since 2009, to $15 from $7.25. The increase is a top priority for progressive Democrats.
It is not clear whether the minimum-wage hike would have survived the Senate even if it were to be kept in the bill. At least two Senate Democrats oppose it, along with most Republicans.
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Source: Reuters
