Congress Gives Final Approval to Biden's $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Package

Congress gave on Wednesday its final approval to President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus package, with Democrat Jared Golden of Maine, voted against the decision.

By 220 votes to 211, the House passed and authorized the bill to boosting one of the largest federal aid since the Great Depression.

Biden is expected to sign the bill on Friday.

The bill is expected to provide another round of direct payments to many Americans, unemployment benefits and a financing to  coronavirus vaccines. It will also provide relief to schools, states, tribal governments and small businesses, who struggled during the pandemic crisis.

The measure will provide $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments and $10 billion for critical state infrastructure projects; $14 billion for the distribution of a vaccine, and $130 billion to primary and secondary schools.

85% of American families would receive payments, and families with two children, receiving $100,000 a year, will get paid about $5,600.

The bill includes one-time payments of $1,400 to many Americans, excluding those with annual incomes above $75,000. It also includes $300 per week in unemployment benefits for the 9.5 million Americans, who were fired during the COVID-19 crisis.

Democrats have agreed earlier to cut the unemployment benefits from $400 per week to $300 in order to secure its passage in the Senate.

Also, $350 billion in aid has been earmarked for state and local governments to help them with their budgets during the pandemic.