THE impeachment trial of Donald Trump means Congress is now free to begin focusing on delivering Joe Biden’s stimulus package.
The House and Senate are both on breaks this week meaning the final process could, however, still take longer than expected as lawmakers mull over the $1.9 billion worth of measures.
House impeachment managers’ initial call for witnesses in the Senate trial of the former President threatened to add weeks onto the process.
But amid chaotic scenes, they dropped their call leading to the vote that resulted in Trump’s acquittal.
The sprawling legislation still has to make its way through Congress before Americans can start receiving their checks.
Nancy Pelosi has promised Democrats will try to pass the next coronavirus relief bill before the end of the month, when unemployment benefits expire for thousands of Americans.
She said House hopes to green-light the package "as soon as possible" before the March 14 deadline.
Under the Democrats' proposal, individuals earning below $75,000 would receive the full $1,400 payment and couples earning below $150,000 would be entitled to receive $2,800.
However, there are still questions on whether those making up to $75,000 a year will earn a full stimulus check.
A group of Democrats sent Biden a letter this week calling on him to keep the amount at $75,000, but others in the caucus have wanted a smaller, more targeted threshold.
An important hurdle was cleared when the House Ways and Means Committe approved a tax-related portion of President Joe Biden’s on a 24-18 vote along party lines.
The stimulus proposals cannot move out of committee until the full House meets again on the week of February 22 and the Senate also resumes legislative action that week as well.
The Senate’s focus on impeachment has given time for Biden to gather bipartisan support for his bill.
President invited a group of mayors and governors from both parties in an attempt to sell the “America Relief Plan.”
"The president was extremely thoughtful, listened to every single one of the elected officials, both governors and mayors from both parties, listened to our comments and concerns,” said Republican Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami.
“We had a reflective conversation back and forth, and I think he's gonna use our input to make the bill better and to hopefully get it passed for the benefit of the American people."
After the Ways and Means Committee approved the tax-related portion of the Covid relief bill with a vote of 24-18, CNET projected a potential timeline for when checks might be sent.
The outlet projected that stimulus checks could pass Congress by February 26, and be sent to Americans by March 12.
Source: Read Full Article
