California Representative Ted Lieu has announced that Joe Biden’s extensive stimulus plan, which includes the highly anticipated $ 1,400 direct payments, will succeed in the House next week. His remarks come a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated that Democrats want to pass the $ 1.9 billion economic relief plan before the end of February.
House Democrats formally unveiled the full text of Biden’s bill on Friday. Apart from the checks, it also contains $ 350 billion in government and local government relief; an extension of $ 400 federal unemployment benefits; and additional money for small businesses – as well as money to help reopen schools and the distribution and testing of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We will pass the U.S. Rescue Plan Legislation next week. This is a very good bill. And that is what the American people need during this challenging time,” Lieu tweeted Friday night along with a comprehensive outline of the bill.
We will pass U.S. rescue plan legislation next week. This is a very good account. And that is what the American people need during this challenging time. https://t.co/xchZvIeC2L
– Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) 20 February 2021
On Thursday, Pelosi said she was hoping for a vote in the lower chamber ‘sometime at the end of next week’, but did not explicitly commit to the date. About two weeks ago, Pelosi said Congress would “finish our work before the end of February.”
Democrats paved the way for a vote that would make the plan succeed without amendments to accommodate fiscally conservative Republicans who are at its price. After the measure was passed by the House, the Senate Democrats were then able to approve it through the budget process called reconciliation.
As it currently stands, the package is unlikely to garner support from Congressional Republicans who have urged their colleagues from across the political path to return to the negotiating table for a two-party agreement.
“Clearly, the Democrats have no interest in approaching COVID relief in a timely and purposeful manner, but rather use the reconciliation process to push through their liberal wish list agenda,” said Steve Scalise, House Minority Whip office.
Biden responded to GOP opposition on Friday by being willing to cut the measure, but with the timeline of Pelosi and Lieu and increasing pressure from Americans, it is unclear whether there will be time for further discussions.
“I am grateful that the Senate and the House are moving fast, and I am willing to hear their ideas on how to make the package better and cheaper. I am open to that,” the president said on a COVID. -19 vaccine production plant.
The bill will have to be signed into law after it is passed by Congress, and then the IRS will take about a week to process the checks.
Newsweek reached Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for comment.
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