The House of Representatives passed the final vote on the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package today, 221 to 211, with only one Democrat voting against it. It will now be sent back to President Biden’s desk for approval.
Jared Golden, one of two Democrats who opposed the bill first proposed in February, and the only Democrat to oppose it in this round of voting, said of his decision, “After supporting $4 trillion in emergency COVID relief in 2020, I won’t support trillions more in funding that is poorly targeted or in many cases not necessary at this moment in time.”
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, tweeted her response in opposition to the bill ahead of today’s voting, referencing the $650 billion package she, along with 11 Republican senators, proposed as a potential alternative.
My statement after voting in opposition to the partisan $1.9 trillion spending bill: https://t.co/wRywQkbYbD pic.twitter.com/ZaEoleW4AE
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) March 6, 2021
In December 2020, Congress passed a $900 billion relief package that established the unemployment supplement benefits, the $600 stimulus payments and small business support.
The relief bill, according to a recent Pew Research study, already had social media abuzz with “75% of Americans” trending. Data shows of the Americans polled, the majority are in favor of the bill.
The poll is sparking controversy among Republicans, especially, as none voted to pass the bill early on in the voting process, making them skeptical of the poll’s accuracy.
Rob Portman, Ohio senator, echoed concern among his Republican constituents on the “unrelated liberal priorities” included in the bill.
We were promised unity and bipartisanship… Instead we are getting a partisan $1.9 trillion bill filled to the brim with unrelated liberal priorities.
We should be working together like we’ve done on the last 5 COVID bills. https://t.co/RSPnOwUuH0
— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) March 5, 2021
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said today that Biden will sign the bill on Friday afternoon at the White House. {eoa}
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