Dec, 22nd 2020 – The US Congress has passed a long-awaited $900 billion dollars package of coronavirus pandemic aid, after months of political wrangling.
Senators approved the bill late on Monday, hours after it was passed by the House of Representatives.
The aid includes direct payments for many Americans and support for businesses and unemployment programmes. The money is to accompany a bigger $1.4 trillion spending bill to fund government operations over the next nine months.
The deal was announced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a republican. Speaking ahead of the vote, he said, “None of us think this legislation is perfect, but a big bipartisan majority of us recognize the incredible amount of good it will do when we send it to the president’s desk. The American people have waited long enough.”
I applaud this relief package, but our work is far from over. Starting in the new year, Congress will need to immediately get to work on support for our COVID-19 plan.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 22, 2020
My message to everyone out there struggling right now: help is on the way. https://t.co/ktET5loEnm
According to house speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the package delivered urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihood of the American people as the virus accelerates.
The Covid-19 relief bill includes $600 direct payments to most Americans, $300 in enhanced unemployment benefits, $300 billion for the small business loan program, and much more.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the package into law.