Everything You Need To Know About The COVID Relief Bill

February 21, 2021, marked 33 days of the President Joe Biden-Vice President Kamala Harris administration. On February 19, 2021, House Democrats unveiled their $1.9-trillion COVID-19 relief package, releasing the full text of the bill.

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The 591-page bill includes increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, $1,400 in stimulus check payments to Americans with an annual income of $75,000 or less, and extending $400 weekly federal unemployment benefits.

The House Budget Committee was expected to markup the bill on February 21, 2021. It was expected that the full House would pass the bill by the end of the following week, or even over the weekend before the bill proposed by the administration of President Joe Biden and first female Vice President of the US Kamala Harris headed to the Senate. The House wants the bill to reach the President’s desk before the current benefits lapse on March 14, 2021.

The Republicans opposed the bill fiercely. However, the Democrats don’t require the Republicans’ support to pass the bill to the Senate. President Biden stated he’s open to a cheaper relief bill if there’s bipartisan support, but he didn’t budge.

The House Budget Committee put together the bill, which individual committees already passed in pieces. The House bill is quite similar to Biden’s rescue plan—it includes more money for vaccine distribution, schools, and funding for local and state governments.

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