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By the slimmest of margins, without a single Republican Senator's support, the American Rescue Plan Act passed the Senate a short while ago. The bill passed after an all night marathon caused by malicious Republican poison pill amendments intended to undermine and alter the needed aid:
"The relief measure includes a new round of up-to $1,400 stimulus checks for millions of Americans, $350 billion for cash-strapped cities and states, $130 billion for schools, and other sizable sums for a wide array of programs including food assistance, rental relief and coronavirus vaccine distribution. The bill also authorizes an additional $300-per-week in unemployment payments until early September, trimming the amount that House Democrats initially had approved earlier in the month."
A tie-breaking vote by Vice President Harris was unnecessary due to the absence of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan (Sedition-AK). The bill now goes back to the House for likely approval next week, then to the White House for President Biden's signature.
To quote Joe Biden circa 2010, "This is a big fucking deal."
BONUS: Bernie agrees --
As Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, I am proud that we passed the American Rescue Plan, which, in my view, is the most significant piece of legislation to benefit working families in the modern history of this country.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) March 6, 2021
BONUS II: Obama, too --
Elections matter—and we’re seeing why. Congratulations to the Biden Administration and to the American people on a COVID relief bill that will improve the lives of families across the country.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 6, 2021
2 comments:
It's almost as if we can collectively breathe again. For one thing, it's a triumph for Americans who have suffered under the spread of Covid, physically, mentally, and financially. It's also a triumph for President Joe Biden and the Democrats who did amazing work to make it happen. I am relieved and proud to support a party that works for us, not exclusively for the rich.
I hope Mitch McConnell suffers indigestion and Kevin McCarthy sits alone reading the Cat in the Hat while the rest of us work toward recovery.
donnah -- that's exactly how we feel, too!
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