Coronavirus Relief Bill

The US House of Representatives voted 220 to 211 to pass the $1.9tn Covid relief bill on Wednesday and, according to press secretary Jen Psaki, President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill on Thursday.

Kyle Griffin from MSNBC tweeted that "President Biden will sign the American Rescue Plan in the Oval Office TODAY. The Vice President will attend."

The United States House of Representatives has passed Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package in a 219 to 212 vote on Saturday. The legislation is now sent to the US Senate and Democrats are trying to finish before federal unemployment assistance is expiring on March 14.

“The numbers speak volumes. 18 million Americans on unemployment. 24 million people are going hungry,” so Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “The time for decisive action is long overdue.”

The US Senate approved a budget resolution on Friday, that sets up the ability to pass President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill without the threat of a filibuster from Republicans. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote.

Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont is attempting a maneuver to force Mitch McConnell (Senate Majority Leader) to allow the bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday to a vote on the senate floor. The bill passed by the house would increase the stimulus check being distributed in the U.S. from $600 to $2,000. This is the target amount that both the Democratic Party and the President, Donald Trump, have both publicly announced support for.

President Trump unexpectedly signed the $900 billion Covid relief package into law on Sunday, averting a federal government shutdown. The bill extends unemployment benefits for millions and grants a one-time stimulus check of $600 for each eligible individual instead of the $2000 he initially demanded by Trump.

US President-elect Joe Biden has released a statement Saturday, urging President Donald Trump to sign the Covid-19 relief bill that was passed by Congress earlier this week.

“It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority,” Biden said in the statement. "This abdication of responsibility has devastating consequences."

President Donald Trump called the recently passed coronavirus relief bill a "disgrace" on Tuesday and has demanded changes, including $2000 stimulus checks instead of the proposed $600 and to get rid of "wasteful and unnecessary items".

"I'm asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2000 or $4000 per couple," Trump said in a video released on Twitter. "I'm also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items in this legislation or to send me a suitable bill."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded on Twitter: "We spent months trying to secure $2000 checks, but Republicans blocked it. Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open, and we're glad to pass more aid Americans need. Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again."