House approves $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, sending bill to Biden

 

The House approved the final version of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill on Wednesday; handing the new president a significant legislative victory as he works to stabilize an economy still struggling to rebound from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill, known as the American Rescue Plan Act, passed by a vote of 220 to 211.

One Democrat — Representative Jared Golden of Maine — joined all Republicans in voting against the measure.

Golden had previously voted against the House version of the bill which passed last week.

The legislation will soon head to Mr. Biden’s desk, where he will sign it on Friday, the White House said.

The Senate approved the bill along party lines following a marathon voting session on Saturday.

Just 49 days into his presidency, Mr. Biden has secured what could prove to be the defining domestic policy accomplishment of his presidency; injecting hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy and bolstering his administration’s efforts to accelerate vaccinations, reopen schools and get jobless Americans back to work.

The president, Vice President Kamala Harris and first lady Dr. Jill Biden plan to travel to promote the package once it clears Congress; and is signed into law Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

Mr. Biden celebrated the passage of his plan in the wake of the House’s vote and lauded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; calling her “the finest and most capable speaker in the history of our nation” as she shepherded the package through Congress and maintained unity among House Democrats.

“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 president said.

Democratic members of the House and Senate gathered after the bill’s passage for an enrollment ceremony; during which Democratic leaders signed the legislation in the final step before it heads to the White House for Mr. Biden’s signature.

“This is a momentous day in the history of our country because we have passed historic, consequential and transformative legislation;” Pelosi said in remarks, noting that for many Democrats “this is the most consequential legislation that many of us will ever be a party to.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats have followed through on their promise to provide the American people with relief; if Georgia voters elected a pair of Democrats to the upper chamber, securing a 50-50 split, with Harris casting tie-breaking votes.

“What do we say to America?” he said. “We say to America, ‘Help is on the way.’“