Debate began in the House on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill, setting the stage for its final passage Wednesday.
The House started two hours of debate on amendments made to the legislation, known as the American Rescue Plan. The legislation narrowly passed the Senate last week; both chambers of Congress must approve the same version.
The Senate had amended the stimulus bill to include a $300 weekly federal unemployment benefit through August. The change is an adjustment to the legislation passed in the House, which sought to increase the benefits to $400 a week.
The Senate also made a major change that will limit who will be getting $1,400 stimulus checks.
Democrats are expected to pass the bill in the House, but with no Republicans on board and some progressives upset with the changes. House Democrats can only afford to lose four votes and still pass the bill. Two Democrats voted against the House’s version of the bill when it passed last week.
Source: COVID stimulus updates: House debates on COVID bill before vote
