The House gave its final approval to President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package on Wednesday. The House sent the president for his signature the bill which contains $1,400 stimulus checks, billions more to help schools and colleges reopen, and funding for vaccine distribution. The final vote was 220-211, with one Democrat voting against the bill and all Republicans opposing it.
The White House confirmed that President Biden will sign the bill into law Friday. Biden introduced the bill in mid-January before he took office. However he faced united opposition from Republicans, pushback from moderate Democrats and progressives, and multiple legislative hurdles. Biden said in a statement following the vote: “This legislation is about giving the backbone of this nation – the essential workers, the working people who built this country, the people who keep this country going – a fighting chance.”
The $1.9 trillion legislation will provide most Americans earning under $75,000 a year a $1,400 check, provide billions for vaccine distribution and development, allocate aid for schools to reopen, and expand the child tax credit to up to $3,600 per child.
