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House Democrats approved President Joe Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion emergency spending package in a 219-212 vote early Saturday morning, sending the bill to the Senate as lawmakers rushed to avoid the expiration of enhanced unemployment insurance in mid-March.
The stimulus plan has cleared the chamber with Republicans united in their resistance. Two Democrats joined Republicans in voting against the legislation.
The package includes $ 1,400 in stimulus checks for taxpayers, $ 400 in federal unemployment benefits, aid to state and local governments and funds for vaccines. Democrats say he will be a vital pillar in the nation’s fight against the pandemic and the economic malaise it has caused.
“The sooner we pass the bill and it is signed, the sooner we can make the progress it is all about on this bill – saving the lives and livelihoods of the American people,” the President said Friday. Nancy Pelosi to reporters.
But Republicans have castigated the proposal, arguing that many of its provisions are unrelated to the pandemic. Minority House Leader Kevin McCarthy of Texas told a press conference the legislation
“We already know what the best stimulus package on the market is: it’s about completely reopening our economy,” he said. “To do this, we need our economy to get back to work, go back to school and get healthy.”
Senate Democrats will pass the bill next week, and they are rushing to enact it before enhanced UI expires in mid-March. But they face tough decisions that could lead to clashes.
The House bill includes a minimum wage of $ 15, but the Senate parliamentarian ordered it removed from the plan Thursday night. The recommendation meant that the provision, a key progressive priority, violates strict reconciliation guidelines under which Democrats seek to pass the bill with 51 votes in the Senate.
Senior Democrats, including Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, are teaming up behind a backup plan with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Their proposal would impose a tax penalty on large companies that do not pay workers at least $ 15 an hour.
Small businesses would receive tax credits equivalent to up to 25% of their payroll if they increased workers’ wages. Some business groups like the Chamber of Commerce say they are opposed to the measure.
“Enough political games,” Neal Bradley, director of policy at the Chamber of Commerce, tweeted friday. “The business community thinks a deal can be made on a fair minimum wage increase. R&D members say the same. It’s time for Senator Sanders and others to focus on a reasonable compromise. . “
Some progressives in the House have urged Democrats to keep campaign promises of higher wages.
“I don’t think we can go back to the voters and say, ‘Look, I know the Republicans, Democrats, Independents are backing this, we promised it, but because of an unelected parliamentarian who made us a decision, we couldn’t do it. “Representative Pramila Jayapal, president of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told reporters.” Nobody is going to buy this. “
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