The US House of Representatives approved early Saturday a massive $ 1.9 billion coronavirus stimulation package – the sixth COVID bill since the pandemic began a year ago.
The vote at 02:00 ET was 219-212.
Two Democrats voted against their party’s plan: U.S. Representatives Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon. Both lawmakers also opposed a $ 3 trillion bill last May that ultimately failed.
Not a single Republican supported Saturday’s bill.
About two hours before the vote, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called the proposal a ‘Payoff Bill’ by Pelos.
McCarthy, R-California, further describes the legislation as “the expensive, corrupt and liberal spending package of the Democrats”, one that he says means: “The swamp is back.”
His remarks were issued by his office late Friday, with plans to comment on the House floor shortly thereafter.
HOUSE TO VOTE ON FLOOR $ 1.9 T CORONAVIRUS LIGHTING PACKAGE INCLUDING $ 1,400 STIMULUS CONTROLS
“Congress will not even vote on Saturday at 2 a.m.,” McCarthy said. “Why? Because Democrats are so embarrassed about all the non-COVID waste in this bill, that they’re trapping it through the night.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California. (Associated Press)
“We got the numbers,” McCarthy added. “The amount of money that actually goes into fighting the virus is less than 9 percent – less than 9 percent! So do not call it a rescue bill. Do not call it a relief bill. Call it the Pelosi Payoff. “
Many Republicans particularly objected to the Democrats’ efforts to include a $ 15 minimum wage requirement as part of the package. But that attempt came before the Senate this week when Senator Elizabeth MacDonough decided that the inclusion of the $ 15 plan would violate Senate rules.
Shortly before midnight Friday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended the bill in remarks on the House floor, declaring that the $ 15 minimum wage target would be reached in some way, regardless of the MacDonough Senate decision.
“It’s inevitable for all of us, the minimum wage of $ 15 will be reached,” Pelosi said, “even if it is unthinkable for some, it is inevitable for us – and we will work diligently to bridge the gap between the inevitable and the unthinkable. ‘
Legislators rushed to send approved legislation to President Biden’s desk on March 14, when key unemployment benefit programs expire for millions.
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The proposal includes a third $ 1,400 stimulus check for Americans earning less than $ 75,000 annually, increasing unemployment benefits to $ 400 a week until the end of August, extending the child tax credit to $ 3,600 per child, and including $ 350 billion for state funding and allocates $ 170 billion to K-12 schools and higher education institutions to cover reopening costs.
GOP lawmakers have questioned the need for another $ 2 billion dollars, accusing their liberal colleagues of using the bill to pass a ‘Democratic wish list’.
Fox Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this story.