Biden urged Senate to pass $ 1.9 trillion bailout “to alleviate suffering from coronavirus”

US President Joe Biden on Saturday urged the Senate to approve the fiscal stimulus package ensuring that “there is no time to waste” and that there is “need to alleviate” the deep suffering caused by the pandemic.

“No time to waste. If we act decisively, swiftly and courageously now, we can finally beat the virus,” Biden said. in a short speech to the White House hours after the House of Representatives approved the $ 1.9 trillion package.

The bill was approved by 219 votes in favor – all Democrats – and 212 against – Republicans as a bloc plus two Democrats – this morning.

“Now the proposal goes to the Senate, where I hope it will be dealt with quickly (…) The people of this country have suffered too long and too long. We need relief from this suffering “, remarked the president.

“Over the past few weeks, an overwhelming percentage of the American public has made it clear that they support my American bailout, and the House of Representatives has taken the first step towards achieving it,” he said.

Biden thanked Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi “for her extraordinary leadership and all who supported our plan.” “We are about to extend unemployment benefits to millions of Americans who will lose them soon,” he added.

Finally, the president asked the Senate to act with “determination, speed and courage”. “We can finally revive our economy. The people of this country have suffered too much for too long. Let us alleviate this suffering, it is time to act, ”he added.

Considering the slim majority of Democrats in the Senate, 51 to 50, and the doubts expressed by many Republican senators, Hard negotiations should bring the measure to a successful conclusion.

This is the first major legislative project promoted by the government of Joe Biden.

The most striking measure of the rescue is the new direct payments to taxpayers of $ 1,400. In addition, The plan includes a $ 350 billion bailout for state and local governments; $ 20,000 million for a national immunization plan and another $ 50,000 for the testing system.

It is also extending unemployment aid until August, as current funds expire on March 14, a deadline that the White House and Democrats in both chambers have set for the project to complete.

In addition to all that, The bailout includes funds for airlines, local transportation systems and the rail network, as well as food programs, rental assistance or funding to reopen schools.

One of the main sticking points among Democrats has been the inclusion in the bill of an increase in the federal minimum wage from $ 7.25 an hour now to $ 15 an hour.

On Thursday, however, Senate Legal Services informed Democrats that they couldn’t approve the 50-vote simple majority hike, as they wanted, but needed 60, an unlikely number to hit.

While the Lower House gave the green light to the project this morning, Democratic leaders continue to study how to approve the pay rise, one of Biden’s election promises.

This Biden bailout, if finally approved, would join the $ 900 billion Congress pushed in December and the $ 2.2 trillion, the largest in U.S. history, in March. latest.

With information from EFE

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