U.S. President Joe Biden makes remarks from the White House after his coronavirus pandemic relief legislation passed in the Senate, in Washington, U.S. March 6, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott
The Senate passed President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package on Saturday, sending the amended bill back for a vote in the House followed by the president signing the legislation.
The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 50-to-49 to pass the “American Rescue Plan” through reconciliation. Because some provisions were amended in the Senate, the legislation must go back to the House that passed an earlier version of it last week.
“When Democrats assumed the majority in this chamber, we promised to pass legislation to rescue our people from the depths of the pandemic and bring our economy and our country roaring back,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said from the Senate floor before the vote. “In a few moments, we are going to deliver on that promise.”
Idaho State police on Sunday were investigating a protest at the state Capitol in Boise during which scores of Idahoans burned masks to protest coronavirus public health recommendations they view as restrictions on freedom.
Health experts say masks are critical tools against a disease that has killed nearly 525,000 Americans, including almost 2,000 in Idaho. Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, has never ordered a statewide mask mandate, but seven counties and 11 cities have them in place.
State police say the protest Saturday drew about 100 people to the Capitol steps. Videos posted on social media showed adults encouraging children to toss masks into a fire.
Idahoans burn masks at State Capitol; Dalai Lama vaccinated: Live COVID-19 updates yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock – two Democrats elected in Jan. 5 runoffs in what was once considered a Republican stronghold – held a press conference hours after the Senate narrowly approved a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package in a 50-49 vote that fell along party lines.
Both senators made it clear that the package would likely have never come to pass without their upset victories. This is the most significant economic relief package for working- and middle-class families in American history, Ossoff told reporters after the vote. We will crush COVID-19, recover economically, safely re-open our schools, and get our daily lives back – and we’ll do it thanks to Georgia voters.”
COVID stimulus updates: Biden praises Senate passage of relief plan tuscaloosanews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tuscaloosanews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.