(click to enlarge)
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
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDelete