US senators scurry to refine Biden's US$1.9 trillion COVID aid ahead of vote

Negotiations over Democratic President Joe Biden's US$1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill go into overdrive this week as the U.S. Senate begins debate over the sweeping legislation and lawmakers jockey to include pet projects such as broadband connectivity.

"It is my hope that at the end, Senate Republicans will unanimously oppose it, just like House Republicans did," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters, complaining that the measure was filled with provisions he said were unrelated to the pandemic. The version of the bill approved by the House would pay for vaccines and medical supplies and send a new round of emergency financial aid to households, small businesses and state and local governments. It includes US$1,400 direct payments to individuals, a US$400-per-week federal unemployment benefit through Aug. 29, and help for those having difficulty paying rents and home mortgages during the pandemic.

"Millions of jobs and trillions of dollars have been taken out of our economy," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor on Tuesday. He said the bill"is designed to finish the job, to patch up the holes in our economy and lay a foundation for our recovery."

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

US$1 billion more needed for COVAX COVID-19 vaccine rollout: UNICEF chiefThe United Nations' children's fund on Wednesday urged countries to contribute more money to help poor countries access coronavirus vaccines, ... Dont worry india will save the day.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Biden bans most travel to US from India to limit COVID-19 spreadWASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Friday (Apr 30) imposed new travel restrictions on India in light of the COVID-19 epidemic, barring most ... It’s a Hindu ban. Quad brothers, not blood brothers.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Biden to send 20 million doses of US-authorised COVID-19 vaccines abroad for first timePresident Joe Biden will send at least 20 million more COVID-19 vaccine doses abroad by the end of June, marking the first time the United States ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Biden sets new goal of 200 million US COVID-19 shots in his first 100 daysU.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday he was setting a new goal of administering 200 million vaccination shots against COVID-19 in the United ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Biden targets Apr 19 for wider US COVID-19 vaccine deliveryPresident Joe Biden will announce on Tuesday (Apr 6) that the United States has administered 150 million COVID-19 shots since he took office and ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Biden signs US$1.9 trillion stimulus Bill, eyes next stage of COVID-19 pandemic fightWASHINGTON: Hours after signing his US$1.9 trillion stimulus Bill into law on Thursday (Mar 11), President Joe Biden prepared to tell Americans in ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »