(GNB, Washington): The US Senate voted to begin debate on $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package on Thursday. Kamala Harris cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to begin debate on Covid-19 relief bill.
The vote passed 51-50 in a strictly party-line vote with Vice President Kamala Harris arriving to provide the tie-breaking vote.
Before debate can officially start, Senate clerks will have to read the entire 628-page document after Republicans objected to waiving its reading. The House of Representatives passed a version of the aid bill on February 27.
Republicans claim the bill is not focused enough on relieving the economic burden of Covid-19 and is laden with liberal legislative projects such as the $15 per hour minimum wage.
Progressive Democrats believe the bill does not go far enough.
After the discussion period ends, the Senate will hold votes on an indefinite number of amendments to the bill as part of the budget reconciliation process that enables legislation to pass with a simple majority. Republicans are expected to use amendments to force Democrats into politically thorny votes and drag out the process.
Majority Leader Schumer expects to pass the Senate bill by the end of the week.
The stimulus bill includes $1,400 checks for most Americans making less than $75,000 a year. It also includes $1,400 for eligible dependents. The proposal increases the child tax credit to $3,000 per year ($3,600 for children under age 6). And it extends enhanced unemployment benefits through September.
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