House Democrats pass $ 1.9 billion COVID-19 relief bill with minimum wage increase

House Democrats passed their sweeping $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package in a party vote early Saturday morning, moving forward President BidenJoe BidenBiden ‘disappointed’ by Senate parliamentarian’s decision but ‘respects’ ruling Taylor Swift celebrates House passage of equality law Donald Trump Jr. calls Bruce Springsteen of’ liberal privilege ” MOREfirst legislative priority of.

Lawmakers passed Bill 219-212, with two Democrats – Representatives Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt schraderWalter (Kurt) Kurt Schrader Home Democrats must maintain minimum wage hike in COVID-19 relief bill for Friday vote Democrats face a unit test on .9T’s bill Biden Senate Democrats set to face key 2022 budget unity test MORE (Ore.) – joining with all Republicans in voting against. Democrats could only afford four defections with their slim majority in the House.

The passage of the bill comes days after the death toll from COVID-19 in the United States topped 500,000, while more contagious virus variants remain a threat to contain the pandemic.

Lawmakers hope to build on the momentum of vaccines gradually reaching people to end the global pandemic that has rocked American lives for most of the past year.

The relief package is now heading to the Senate, where Democrats are expected to amend it next week and send it back to the House for approval before UI benefits expire on March 14.

The legislation, which was modeled on Biden’s proposal, includes provisions to provide a third round of direct stimulus checks of up to $ 1,400 for individuals, a weekly increase of $ 400 in UI. through August 29 and $ 8.5 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control. and Prevention (CDC) to distribute, track and promote public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

Direct payments of up to $ 1,400 for individuals or $ 2,800 for married couples are the largest payments to date, following the previous two cycles last year, which peaked at 1,200 $ and $ 600.

People with incomes of up to $ 75,000 and married couples earning up to $ 150,000 would be eligible for the full amount, while payments would be phased out for people earning up to $ 100,000 or 200,000. $ for couples.

Other key elements of this massive program include $ 350 billion for state and local governments, $ 130 billion to help K-12 schools reopen for in-person instruction, and a credit extension. child tax at $ 3,000 per child or $ 3,600 for children under six. years.

But one element of the bill the House passed early Saturday is doomed to be left on the cutting room floor once it reaches the Senate: a federal minimum wage increase of $ 7.25 an hour current at $ 15.

The Senate parliamentarian on Thursday ruled that the minimum wage hike would not meet the fiscal rules required to pass bills as part of the reconciliation process, which Democrats are using to ensure their pandemic relief program does not not the subject of a GOP filibuster in the Upper House. .

House Democrats chose to keep the minimum wage provision in the bill as a sign of support for the top progressive priority.

“Even if it is inconceivable for some, it is inevitable for us. And we will work diligently to shorten the distance between the inevitable and the inconceivable ”. Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi Minimum wage cut reignites progressive calls to overturn Senate filibuster House Democrats to maintain minimum wage hike in COVID-19 relief bill for Friday’s vote Schiff sees challenges for the Intel committee, the community in the shadow of Trump MORE (D-Calif.) Said to raise the salary.

The push to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 has been met with strong opposition from Republicans and a handful of centrist Democratic lawmakers, who cited a Congressional Budget Office report estimating that if it would take out 900,000 people poverty, it would also lead to 1.4 million job losses.

Only one sitting House Democrat, Rep. Kurt Schrader (Oregon), voted against a bill in 2019 to raise the minimum wage to $ 15. While Schrader’s preference for a regionally adjusted minimum wage over a $ 15 federal law has not threatened the prospects for the House relief program, it is a more delicate balance for the 50- position. 50 Democrats in the Senate.

Democrat Sens. Joe manchinJoseph (Joe) Manchin Minimum wage cut reignites progressive calls to overturn Senate filibuster Biden “ disappointed ” by Senate Parliament decision but “ respects’ ‘House Democrats’ decision keep minimum wage hike in COVID-19 relief bill for Friday vote PLUS (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona) have both voiced opposition to including the $ 15 minimum wage as part of the COVID-19 relief program. Manchin called for raising the minimum wage to $ 11 an hour instead, arguing it’s a more reasonable level for a state like West Virginia.

Democrats are evaluating the Senses’ proposals. Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Candidate Lee WydenBiden Introduces Post-Trump Trade Agenda Labor Expands Unemployment Aid for Workers Who Reject Employers Bypassing COVID-19 Rules Democrats Are Reluctant to Raise Taxes Amid Pandemic MORE (Ore.) And Bernie sandersBernie Sanders Home Democrats to keep minimum wage hike in COVID-19 relief bill for Friday’s vote Sanders slams Parliament’s decision on minimum wage Parliamentarian denies minimum wage hike in draft coronavirus law PLUS (I-Vt.) That would impose penalties on large companies that do not pay employees at least $ 15 an hour and encourage small companies to raise workers’ wages.

A senior Democratic official said on Friday that the Senate majority leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerHillicon Valley: Biden signs order for chips | Hearing on media disinformation | Facebook’s deal with Australia | CIA Candidate on SolarWinds House Rules Publishes New Text of COVID-19 Relief Bill Budowsky: Cruz Goes to Cancun, AOC Goes to Texas READ MORE (DN.Y.) is considering adding such a provision to the back-up plan, while the main House Democrats were still not committed to the idea.

House Minority Leader Kevin mccarthyKevin McCarthySchiff sees challenges for intel committee, community in Trump’s shadow Cruz hires Trump campaign press secretary as communications director Conservatives target Cheney for Trump CPAC remarks (R-Calif.), Meanwhile, called the tax incentive proposal “stupid” and questioned why the minimum wage and other provisions were attached to a bill on tax relief. coronavirus.

“The swamp is back,” McCarthy said during the House debate. “To my colleagues who say this bill is bold, I say it is inflated. To those who say it’s urgent, I say it’s fuzzy. To those who say it’s popular, I say it’s all partisan. He has the wrong priorities. “

The final vote on the pandemic relief package did not take place until well after midnight on Saturday as Republicans delayed business by several hours by speaking to the House Rules Committee on more than 200 amendments that they submitted to the bill.

None of the GOP amendments, which ranged from removing the minimum wage bill to requiring K-12 schools to put in place plans to reopen for in-person instruction in order to access funding full, did not get time.

It’s possible Democrats could pass a separate bill to raise the minimum wage, but it would be subject to a 60-vote threshold to clear a filibuster from the Senate government.

“I guarantee you there will be an increase in the minimum wage before the elections,” said the chairman of the House budget committee John yarmuthJohn Allen YarmuthDemocrats Call for Relief Package to End Unemployment Benefits Taxes Democrats on Minimum Wage Deadlock On The Money: Neera Tanden’s appointment at risk after three non-GOPs | Trump rages over SCOTUS rules on financial records (D-Ky.) Told reporters in the Capitol. “Hold me in there.”

Progressives call on Vice President Harris, Speaker of the Senate, to override the parliamentarian’s advisory opinion or on Democrats to abolish filibuster to ensure the election promise of a minimum wage increase can eventually become law under Biden.

“So it’s not just about minimum wage, because Democrats made a lot of promises by winning the House, Senate and White House. And it will come back again and again. We will therefore have to make a choice here. Are we going to stick to these rules or are we really going to use the levers of government to work for the people? Said the president of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalBiden ‘disappointed’ by Senate parliamentarian’s decision but ‘respects’ decision House Democrats to maintain minimum wage hike in COVID-19 relief bill for vote Friday Bill would withdraw pension from president convicted of felony MORE (D-Wash.).

“For me, it’s not radical – it’s governing.”