Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan passes hurdle in U.S. House SECTIONS Last Updated: Feb 27, 2021, 12:56 PM IST Share Synopsis Among the big-ticket items in the bill are $1,400 direct payments to individuals, a $400-per-week federal unemployment benefit through Aug. 29, and help for those having difficulties paying their rent and home mortgages during the pandemic. Agencies Biden has focused his first weeks in office on tackling the greatest public health crisis in a century, which has upended most aspects of American life. The House approved a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill early Saturday in a win for President Joe Biden, even as top Democrats tried assuring agitated progressives that they'd revive their derailed drive to boost the minimum wage.