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A $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill, the first major law in President Joe Biden’s term, was passed by the United States House along party lines early Saturday morning.
The bill includes stimulus checks of $ 1,400 for people earning up to $ 75,000 and $ 2,800 for couples earning up to $ 150,000, plus $ 1,400 for each dependent. . Along with the December $ 600 payments, it fulfilled Democrats’ promise to provide $ 2,000 to most Americans still trying to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and the economic recession that followed.
These payments would be phased out for people earning $ 75,000 to $ 100,000 and for couples earning $ 150,000 to $ 200,000.
The bill was passed almost entirely according to party principles, 219-212. All but one Democrats voted yes and all Republicans voted no. All 10 House Democrats in New Jersey voted yes, and both Republicans in the state voted no.
He now goes to the United States Senate, where he only needs 50 senators plus the decisive vote of Vice President Kamala Harris, in a parliamentary process known as reconciliation. Biden promised to sign the bill.
“The US bailout would help millions of people struggling in every community across our country due to the pandemic,” Representative Albio Sires, D-8th Dist., Member of the House Budget Committee, said during the debate on the bill.
“It sends aid directly to those who need it most, boosts immunization efforts, provides lifelines for small businesses, helps children return to school safely, and so much more.”
Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., Opposed the legislation in a ground speech, saying it does not prevent taxpayer funding for abortions.
“Unborn babies,” said Smith, “need the President of the United States and members of Congress to be their friend and advocate, not their adversary.”
Lawmakers from both sides came together last year to enact the $ 2 trillion CARES law in March with 1,200 payments, $ 484 billion in April for small businesses and healthcare providers, and $ 900 billion. in December with 600 checks.
But all but one of the House GOP members opposed a $ 3 trillion stimulus bill in May and all voted no on a $ 2 trillion proposal in September, both of which have passed the chamber but were not considered by the Republican majority in the then Senate.
This time, Republicans complained that the legislation would increase the federal deficit by $ 1.9 trillion just four years after approving a tax law increasing the deficit by the same amount, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the impact. over 10 years of the two bills.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracking | Bulletin | Home page
Congress plans to pass a final bill by March 14, when current extended federal unemployment insurance benefits end. The bill extends benefits until the end of August and gives claimants $ 400 more per week, compared to $ 300 now.
The House bill includes $ 350 billion in long-sought federal assistance to states and communities to help cover additional expenses and dwindling revenues due to the pandemic. According to an updated estimate from the House Oversight Committee, New Jersey and its municipalities would receive about $ 10 billion, of which $ 6.5 billion goes to the state and $ 3.5 billion to local governments.
“I rise up to strongly support the bill and the 1.4 million first responders, teachers, transit workers, sanitation workers and other officials already laid off from state and local governments in this country.” said oversight committee chair Carolyn Maloney, DN. Y. “We need to act before more people lose their jobs and more vital programs are cut.”
The Republican refusal to provide such aid, a top Democratic priority, prevented passage of a stimulus bill ahead of the 2020 election.
As Texas is said to be the second-largest recipient of federal aid, one of its Republican representatives, Jodey Arrington, insisted the funding was a “boon to mismanaged and bankrupt states before COVID. “.
There would also be $ 130 billion to help schools reopen, $ 25 billion to help restaurants, $ 1.5 billion for Amtrak and $ 28 billion for transit systems such as NJ Transit, where ridership and revenues are down.
The bill would provide money to distribute and administer vaccines, to convince people to get vaccinated to test and trace Americans for the virus, and to increase health insurance subsidies under the Act. affordable care.
“President Biden has presented a national plan to crush the virus,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist., House Floor . “With this bill, Congress is providing the president with the resources and tools to implement a national plan that was sorely lacking under President Trump.
The legislation would also increase the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour, which matches New Jersey’s. But unlike the state, the federal provision would require tip workers such as restaurateurs and bartenders to be paid $ 15 an hour, not including tips.
But Congresswoman Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that the pay hike could not be included in the Senate version of the legislation under reconciliation, leaving Democrats to find an alternative that would be passed.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday that Biden still supports the $ 15 an hour minimum wage and wants it enacted.
“I will tell you that we are determined to find the best way forward to raise the minimum wage, and that will require a number of conversations with the leaders of Congress and members who are committed to taking this issue forward,” he said. Psaki said in his daily press conference.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., And Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Said they would try to fit the wage hike into the draft. stimulus law in another way, perhaps through tax incentives and penalties.
“We couldn’t get in through the front door or the back door, so we’re going to try to get in through the window,” Wyden said.
Jonathan D. Salant can be reached at [email protected].
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