Biden $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed By House, 220-211

In a final vote of 220-211, President Joe Biden‘s COVID-19 relief package has passed its final vote in the House and could be signed by the president as soon as Wednesday night.

The relief bill will direct massive financial aid aimed to help those suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 90% of Americans, including most dependents, will receive $1,400 checks. Americans on unemployment or receiving jobless benefits will gain an additional $300 per week and benefits will be extended through September, $350 billion will be given to state and local governments to assist K-12 schools, $12 billion will be given in nutrition assistance, food stamp beneficiaries will continue to receive a 15% increase in stipend until September, and several billion dollars will go to assist small businesses, vaccine research and vaccine distribution.

On the House floor, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) said the bill will help lift more than 50% of Americans out of poverty. “Help is on the way,” the speaker said in her speech. Pelosi also noted that eight in ten minority-owned small businesses in America area at risk of closing due to COVID-19 and that today’s package is the “the most transformation bill in my 30 years in government.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said soon after the vote, “The bill text will be rechecked, printed, and signed by the appropriate leaders in the House and Senate.” Biden will sign the bill into law soon after. Americans can expect $1,400 payments to arrive relatively soon. Federal benefits like extension of joblessness benefits may take slightly longer.

Article by Brandon Mumei