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The United States House of Representatives early on Saturday approved a massive $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package – the sixth COVID bill since the pandemic began a year ago.
The vote around 2 a.m. ET was 219-212.
Two Democrats voted against their party’s plan: U.S. Representatives Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon. The two lawmakers also opposed a $ 3 trillion bill last May that ultimately failed.
Not a single Republican supported Saturday’s bill.
About two hours before the vote, Minority House Leader Kevin McCarthy ridiculed the proposal as “Pelosi’s Payoff Bill”.
McCarthy, R-Calif., Further described the legislation as “the Democrats’ costly, corrupt and liberal spending program,” which he said meant “The swamp is back.”
His remarks were issued Friday night from his office, with plans to deliver the comments to House floor soon after.
THE HOUSE TO VOTE ON BIDEN’S $ 1.9T CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE INCLUDING $ 1,400 STIMULUS CHECKS
“Congress will not pass this bill until 2 am Saturday,” McCarthy said. “Why? Because Democrats are so embarrassed by all the non-COVID trash in this bill that they are blocking it in the middle of the night.”
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., And Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. (Associated press)
“We ran the numbers,” McCarthy added. “The amount of money that actually goes to beat the virus is less than 9 percent – less than 9 percent! So don’t call it a bailout bill. Don’t call it a bailout bill. the Pelosi Payoff. “
Many Republicans have particularly opposed Democrats’ efforts to include a minimum wage requirement of $ 15 as part of the package. But that effort suffered a setback in the Senate this week when Senate MP Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that the inclusion of the $ 15 plan would violate Senate rules.
Shortly before midnight on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended the bill in remarks in the House, stating that the minimum wage target of $ 15 would somehow be met, regardless of the decision of the MacDonough Senate.
“It’s inevitable for all of us, the minimum wage of $ 15 will be met,” Pelosi said, “although this is inconceivable for some, it is inevitable for us – and we will work diligently to shorten the distance between the inevitable and the inconceivable. “
Lawmakers rushed to send approved legislation to President Biden’s office by March 14, when major unemployment assistance programs for millions of people are due to expire.
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Proposal contains third stimulus check of $ 1,400 for Americans earning less than $ 75,000 a year, increases unemployment benefits to $ 400 a week through end of August, extends child tax credit to $ 3,600 per child, includes $ 350 billion for state and local government funding, and allocates $ 170 billion to elementary and secondary schools and higher education institutions to cover the costs of reopening.
GOP lawmakers have questioned the need for another $ 2 trillion, accusing their fellow Liberals of using the bill as a vehicle to pass a “Democratic wish list.”
Megan Henney of Fox Business contributed to this story.
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