$900 Billion Relief Package to be Signed by President
There were some who feared that the Senate would head into the holiday break without getting a COVID-19 relief package deal done. Those fears were set aside on Monday when both sides finally agreed to a $900 billion package; that will ease some of the financial burdens on individuals and small businesses.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin assured the public that things would move quickly; with the first round of stimulus checks expected to start arriving as early as next week.
After months where both sides seemed determined to fail to come to an agreement, the package passed swiftly on Monday.
At the home of Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski, it appeared to be where the final decision to move forward with an agreement finally happened.
The measure was passed in the House with a vote of 359-53; after which the Senate passed it with a vote of 92-6. The bill is now on the desk of President Trump, who is expected to sign it today.
What Else is in the Package?
The $900 billion relief package will include an 11-week extension for unemployment; with $300 per week the amount that those out of a job will receive.
The bill also has another round of checks for both adults and children. They will receive $600 each, which means that a family of four will receive a check for $2,400.
The latest political news showed that the relief package was not the only order of business on Monday; as it was attached to a $1.4 trillion spending bill designed to help fund the government through to the end of Sept. 20, 2021, which serves as the end of the fiscal year. While it certainly took time to get the deal done; many see it as a sign that both sides might be able to work together a little better once President-elect Biden takes office next January.
Speaking of Joe Biden; who was busy getting his coronavirus vaccine on Monday, he stated that this relief package was just the beginning of more help to come for the American people after his inauguration. What other packages may look like, or whether they can get done, remains to be seen. This is another reason why all eyes are on the Georgia runoffs; as we wait to see who will control the Senate once Biden takes office.
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