House Democrats dash toward Biden’s $1.9T relief bill; GOP says it's rushed

House Democrats says they are ready to move forward with President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief bill, which includes another round of stimulus checks and an extension for certain unemployment benefits.

News 12 Staff

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Feb 21, 2021, 12:20 AM

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Updated 1,400 days ago

House Democrats says they are ready to move forward with President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief bill, which includes another round of stimulus checks and an extension for certain unemployment benefits.

The House Budget Committee on Friday released its nearly 600-page American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

While the Biden administration had hoped to get bipartisan support on the bill, some Republicans have warned about moving too quickly.

“The rushed budget process that will play out this week is exactly the wrong path towards making law,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Democrats say during a pandemic, there is no time to waste. Plus, enhanced pandemic unemployment benefits are set to expire March 14.

Steve Sywak, of Huntington, was laid off at the start of the pandemic from his job as an engineer on Broadway. He says the help is needed immediately.

“It feels like it is coming down to the wire and my savings is being depleted,” he told News 12. “I'm going to start eating a lot more ramen soon.”

The Biden relief package would include billions for vaccines and testing, a $15 minimum wage, a $1,400 stimulus check in addition to increasing federal COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

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