US Democrats push forward on COVID relief with budget vote
3 years, 10 months ago

US Democrats push forward on COVID relief with budget vote

Al Jazeera  

The United States Senate has approved a budget resolution that is a key step towards the fast-track passage of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without support from Republicans. The “budget resolution” Democrats passed in the Senate, following its House of Representatives passage on Wednesday, unlocks a legislative tool called reconciliation. Reconciliation allowed the Senate’s 48 Democrats and two independents who align with them to approve the relief package with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Harris. Insured unemployment was 4,592,000 for the week ending 1/23.https://t.co/ys7Eg5LKAW — US Labor Department February 4, 2021 Biden’s goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid measures expire.

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History of this topic

Republicans In Congress Are Talking Big About The First 100 Days. They’re Not Talking About All The Roadblocks.
1 week, 1 day ago

Republicans In Congress Are Talking Big About The First 100 Days. They’re Not Talking About All The Roadblocks.

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Tax cuts. “The speaker has a real hurdle here, I think, just getting a budget resolution passed,” given the GOP’s narrow margins, said Bill Hoagland, a former Republican budget staffer who now heads the Bipartisan Policy Center. Passing two budgets, one for the government’s current fiscal year and one for the next, would give Republicans twice as …

'Significant complications': Analysis warns effort to rush Senate Trump bill 'tricky'
3 weeks ago

'Significant complications': Analysis warns effort to rush Senate Trump bill 'tricky'

Raw Story  

New incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced to his caucus that he wants the first major budget reconciliation bill in the first 30 days of the new Congress, Politico reported. The only bill that cannot be filibustered in the U.S. Senate is the budget, so Republicans intend to use it to fund some of Trump's demands, such as reestablishing …

Congress passes first package of spending bills just hours before shutdown deadline for key agencies
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Congress passes first package of spending bills just hours before shutdown deadline for key agencies

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Friday approved a $460 billion package of spending bills in time to meet a midnight deadline for avoiding a shutdown of many key federal agencies, a vote that gets lawmakers about halfway home in wrapping up their appropriations work for the 2024 budget year. The White House said he would do so Saturday, and “agencies …

Senate passes temporary spending bill to keep government open through Dec. 23
2 years ago

Senate passes temporary spending bill to keep government open through Dec. 23

LA Times  

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged lawmakers to support Thursday’s stopgap measure. “Negotiations keep trending in the right direction, but we still have a lot of work left to do and not enough time to do it, unless we extend government funding for another week,” he said. “Negotiations keep trending in the right direction, but we still have a lot …

Democrats clear first hurdle on healthcare, tax and climate bill
2 years, 4 months ago

Democrats clear first hurdle on healthcare, tax and climate bill

LA Times  

Senate Democrats on Saturday advanced their long-delayed healthcare, tax and climate bill following months of back-and-forth on whether the party would be able to pass major legislation addressing some of their progressive priorities before the midterm election. It will help every citizen in this country and make America a much better place.” The bill would allow the federal government to …

Democrats Plan Saturday Vote On Inflation Reduction Act
2 years, 4 months ago

Democrats Plan Saturday Vote On Inflation Reduction Act

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON ― Senate Democrats plan to hold a procedural vote Saturday on their major domestic policy bill known as the Inflation Reduction Act, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Thursday. She said in a statement that Democrats have “agreed to remove the carried interest tax provision, protect advanced manufacturing, and boost our clean energy economy in the …

Washington gridlock could delay new COVID relief funds until fall — or longer
2 years, 6 months ago

Washington gridlock could delay new COVID relief funds until fall — or longer

LA Times  

The U.S. is headed for “a lot of unnecessary loss of life,” the Biden administration says, if Congress fails to provide billions more dollars to brace for the COVID-19 pandemic’s next wave. Congress is in recess, and the next steps are uncertain, despite admonitions from White House COVID coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha of damaging consequences from “every day we wait.” …

Bipartisan Senate bargainers reach $10-billion COVID agreement
2 years, 8 months ago

Bipartisan Senate bargainers reach $10-billion COVID agreement

LA Times  

Bipartisan Senate bargainers have agreed to a slimmed-down $10-billion package for countering COVID-19. Senate bargainers reached agreement Monday on a slimmed-down $10-billion package for countering COVID-19 with treatments, vaccines and other steps, the top Democratic and Republican negotiators said, but the measure dropped all funding to help nations abroad combat the pandemic. In a setback, he ended up settling for …

Under the hood of $1.5T bill for Ukraine, pandemic, agencies
2 years, 9 months ago

Under the hood of $1.5T bill for Ukraine, pandemic, agencies

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Even for Congress, the $1.5 trillion price tag for its bipartisan package helping Ukraine and financing federal agencies for the last half of this year is a lot of money. FOR UKRAINE, A BIG NUMBER The legislation, passed Wednesday by the House, would provide $13.6 billion to help Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion and to buttress NATO allies worried …

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6B, but outlook dim
2 years, 9 months ago

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6B, but outlook dim

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — This could be the end of the line for congressional funding to fight COVID-19. The end result Wednesday was a $15.6 billion package prepared by House Democrats that has almost no chance of passing in the evenly divided Senate, where Republicans have indicated they are unwilling to provide more money without cuts elsewhere or a full accounting from …

Pelosi says Democrats are considering adding Covid-19 relief to larger bill
2 years, 11 months ago

Pelosi says Democrats are considering adding Covid-19 relief to larger bill

CNN  

CNN — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Wednesday that Democrats are considering adding Covid-19 relief to the larger government funding bill, which could complicate Republican support for the broader legislative package. “We are working very closely with Rosa DeLauro on the omnibus bill,” she said after the House Democrats’ weekly meeting, referencing the Connecticut Democratic congresswoman who chairs …

Biden unveils a smaller spending framework. But not all Democrats are onboard
3 years, 1 month ago

Biden unveils a smaller spending framework. But not all Democrats are onboard

NPR  

Biden unveils a smaller spending framework. But not all Democrats are onboard Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP House Democrats are racing to resolve an internal battle over the process for passing trillions of dollars in spending after a personal plea from President Biden for members of his party to unite behind a $1.75 trillion social spending …

Democrats Face Uncertain Path To Avoid Fiscal Calamity
3 years, 3 months ago

Democrats Face Uncertain Path To Avoid Fiscal Calamity

NPR  

Democrats Face Uncertain Path To Avoid Fiscal Calamity Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP Democrats in Washington are working against a rapidly approaching deadline to end a standoff with Republicans that could force a partial government shutdown and a panic over the nation's credit rating. Congress is facing another shutdown threat House Democrats voted Tuesday …

Here Are 5 Hurdles That Democrats Face Now For Their $3.5 Trillion Budget
3 years, 4 months ago

Here Are 5 Hurdles That Democrats Face Now For Their $3.5 Trillion Budget

NPR  

Here Are 5 Hurdles That Democrats Face Now For Their $3.5 Trillion Budget Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images The Senate struggled for months to get agreement and ultimately a bipartisan vote to pass a $1 trillion infrastructure package. Sponsor Message The proposal — which would expand health care coverage, fund universal pre-K and free …

Top Dem sees tough pathway for $3.5T social, climate plans
3 years, 4 months ago

Top Dem sees tough pathway for $3.5T social, climate plans

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Hours after clinching an initial budget victory, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer conceded Wednesday that Democrats face a tough pathway to delivering a package surging $3.5 trillion into family, health and environment programs to President Joe Biden’s desk. Republicans crowed after Democrats opposed GOP amendments calling for the full-time reopening of pandemic-shuttered schools and boosting the Pentagon’s budget …

Senate Dems unveil $3.5T budget for social, climate efforts
3 years, 4 months ago

Senate Dems unveil $3.5T budget for social, climate efforts

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats unwrapped a budget resolution Monday envisioning a massive $3.5 trillion, 10-year cascade of federal resources, aiming historic sums at family support, health and education programs and an aggressive drive to heal the climate. Crucially, congressional approval of the budget outline would let Democrats pass a detailed follow-up bill this fall enacting the blueprint’s proposed spending and …

Senate Democrats reach $3.5 trillion budget agreement
3 years, 5 months ago

Senate Democrats reach $3.5 trillion budget agreement

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats announced late Tuesday that they’d reached a budget agreement envisioning spending an enormous $3.5 trillion over the coming decade, paving the way for their drive to pour federal resources into climate change, health care and family-service programs sought by President Joe Biden. We’re going to get this done for the sake of making average Americans’ lives …

Editorial: The infrastructure deal: Probably necessary, but not nearly sufficient
3 years, 6 months ago

Editorial: The infrastructure deal: Probably necessary, but not nearly sufficient

LA Times  

After weeks of negotiations, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate finally found a way to agree on a $579-billion increase in badly needed infrastructure spending: Stick almost exclusively to traditional road, bridge and rail projects, and find a bogus way to pay for them. By the White House’s estimate, the deal would provide about two-thirds of the roughly $900 billion …

Senate OKs Republican COVID package despite veto threat
3 years, 8 months ago

Senate OKs Republican COVID package despite veto threat

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Republicans who control the state Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a set of bills that would wrest control of billions of dollars in federal pandemic aid from Democratic Gov. The proposals include plans for a $1 billion property tax cut; $200 million for small businesses; $75 million for tourism grants; $150 million for nursing homes and …

EXPLAINER: Senate eyes budget rule to push past filibuster
3 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINER: Senate eyes budget rule to push past filibuster

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — With the Senate split 50-50, leaders of the Democratic majority are looking for ways to advance their priorities and President Joe Biden’s agenda around the typical 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster by opponents. This week, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that one tool, budget reconciliation, could be used more often than expected to pass certain measures with …

The COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed. What's Biden's Next Big Move?
3 years, 9 months ago

The COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed. What's Biden's Next Big Move?

NPR  

The COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed. Enlarge this image toggle caption Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Now that Democrats have passed President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, all eyes turn to what's next. But if Republicans voted en masse against the COVID-19 relief bill, which was broadly popular with the American public, it's hard to …

Covid rescue plan expected to pass US Congress Wednesday
3 years, 9 months ago

Covid rescue plan expected to pass US Congress Wednesday

Live Mint  

US President Joe Biden's massive relief plan is on track to cross the finish line Wednesday with a final House vote, stimulating an economy digging out from the coronavirus pandemic and offering a lifeline for millions of families. If it reaches his desk, Biden -- who made the American Rescue Plan his top legislative priority -- could sign the historic …

US COVID-19 relief bill set for final approval on Wednesday
3 years, 9 months ago

US COVID-19 relief bill set for final approval on Wednesday

Al Jazeera  

Democrats in the US House have scheduled the final vote on the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The US House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday to approve President Joe Biden’s sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package for the United States, Democratic leaders said. The Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday set procedures for the approval of the US Senate’s amended version …

Republicans are radicalizing Senate Democrats on the filibuster
3 years, 9 months ago

Republicans are radicalizing Senate Democrats on the filibuster

Salon  

President Joe Biden and the Democratic Congress scored a huge victory this weekend with the passage of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill in the U.S. Senate. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, at one time a dependable "moderate," explained to MSNBC on Sunday that's he's been radicalized on the issue: Look, major changes to the filibuster for someone like me …

Eager to act, Biden and Democrats leave Republicans behind
3 years, 9 months ago

Eager to act, Biden and Democrats leave Republicans behind

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are jamming their agenda forward with a sense of urgency, an unapologetically partisan approach based on the calculation that it’s better to advance the giant COVID-19 rescue package and other priorities than waste time courting Republicans who may never compromise. But the rush through Biden’s first 100 days is shaping up …

US Senate takes up massive COVID-19 rescue bill
3 years, 9 months ago

US Senate takes up massive COVID-19 rescue bill

Al Jazeera  

The United States Senate cleared a key procedural hurdle on Thursday paving the way for its approval this weekend of President Joe Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue legislation. “The United States is facing a once in a century crisis that has sapped millions of jobs from our economy, left millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet and stolen …

US House poised to pass $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill
3 years, 9 months ago

US House poised to pass $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill

Al Jazeera  

The US House of Representatives is poised to approve a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill on Friday even as Republicans unify in opposition to the measure backed by President Joe Biden. “Clearly, pent-up demand and frustration with the previous administration pushed President Biden to want to get something done quickly in the midst of this virus,” said Bill Hoagland, senior …

Here's What's In House Democrats' $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Plan
3 years, 10 months ago

Here's What's In House Democrats' $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Plan

NPR  

Here's What's In House Democrats' $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Plan Enlarge this image toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images The House Budget Committee has approved legislation advancing President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, setting a path for intense debate in the Senate. New financial support for parents: Democrats approved a major temporary overhaul to the child tax …

Biden, Democrats Prepare To Go It Alone, Believing Most Of Country Is On Their Side
3 years, 10 months ago

Biden, Democrats Prepare To Go It Alone, Believing Most Of Country Is On Their Side

NPR  

Biden, Democrats Prepare To Go It Alone, Believing Most Of Country Is On Their Side Enlarge this image toggle caption Stefani Reynolds/Pool/Getty Images Stefani Reynolds/Pool/Getty Images When it comes to President Biden and his COVID-19 relief package, it's go big or go home. "They're just not willing to go as far as I think we need to go," Biden said …

Congress Approves Budget, Paving the Way For Biden's COVID-19 Relief Package
3 years, 10 months ago

Congress Approves Budget, Paving the Way For Biden's COVID-19 Relief Package

NPR  

Congress Approves Budget, Paving the Way For Biden's COVID-19 Relief Package Enlarge this image toggle caption Senate TV via AP Senate TV via AP Updated at 2:31 p.m. ET The House quickly approved a budget resolution intended to speed the drafting of President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Sponsor Message The Senate process took several days — Harris arrived …

Democrats Take First Step To Pass COVID-19 Relief With Or Without Republicans
3 years, 10 months ago

Democrats Take First Step To Pass COVID-19 Relief With Or Without Republicans

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Democrats have officially started the process of getting their nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill passed ― with or without Republicans’ support. The budget resolution came with instructions to pass up to $1.9 trillion in additional spending that Democrats say they want to put toward $1,400 checks, extending unemployment insurance programs currently set to expire in March …

What Is 'Reconciliation'? Democrats Face Hurdles To Use It For COVID Relief
3 years, 10 months ago

What Is 'Reconciliation'? Democrats Face Hurdles To Use It For COVID Relief

NPR  

Democrats Face Hurdles To Use It For COVID Relief Enlarge this image toggle caption Doug Mills/Pool/Getty Images Doug Mills/Pool/Getty Images Updated at 4:08 p.m. The vote on the budget resolution sets in motion a decades-old budget rule called reconciliation to get around the 60-vote threshold to end a filibuster and pass the legislation with a simple majority. Sponsor Message "Now …

Budget reconciliation in the Senate: Everything you need to know.
54 years, 11 months ago

Budget reconciliation in the Senate: Everything you need to know.

Slate  

Democrats aren’t ready to nuke the filibuster. Reconciliation bills cannot be filibustered, so Democrats can use it to scoot around Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s tendency toward obstructionism. Democrats used reconciliation to put the finishing touches on Obamacare, while in 2017 Republicans relied on it to pass Donald Trump’s marquee tax bill. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who now leads the Budget …

Outlook Unclear For $2,000 COVID-19 Relief Payments As Action Shifts To Senate
3 years, 11 months ago

Outlook Unclear For $2,000 COVID-19 Relief Payments As Action Shifts To Senate

NPR  

Outlook Unclear For $2,000 COVID-19 Relief Payments As Action Shifts To Senate Enlarge this image toggle caption Samuel Corum/Getty Images Samuel Corum/Getty Images Updated at 2:34 p.m. ET Democrats and President Trump hectored Senate Republicans on Tuesday to take up legislation passed by the House that would increase direct relief payments to many Americans — but the path ahead remains …

The COVID Relief Bill Makes One Big, Risky Bet
54 years, 11 months ago

The COVID Relief Bill Makes One Big, Risky Bet

Slate  

The simplest way to think about the new, roughly $900 billion coronavirus relief package that Democrats and Republicans finally agreed to on Sunday night, after months of frigid stalemate, is that it’s a bridge to the spring. It puts cash in the hands of families, with a new round of $600 checks and an extra $300 per week of unemployment …

Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill
4 years ago

Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them. The agreement, announced by congressional leaders, would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment …

Democrats squeezed as COVID-19 relief talks continue
4 years ago

Democrats squeezed as COVID-19 relief talks continue

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Top Washington negotiators continued to reach for a long-delayed agreement on COVID-19 relief on Monday, but rank-and-file Democrats appeared increasingly resigned to having to drop, for now, a scaled-back demand for fiscal relief for states and local governments whose budgets have been thrown out of balance by the pandemic. “We cannot leave for the holidays without getting relief …

House passes shutdown-averting spending bill to give contentious talks more time
4 years ago

House passes shutdown-averting spending bill to give contentious talks more time

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The House has approved a one-week spending measure to avert …

Congressional Leaders Remain At An Impasse On COVID-19 Relief
4 years ago

Congressional Leaders Remain At An Impasse On COVID-19 Relief

NPR  

Congressional Leaders Remain At An Impasse On COVID-19 Relief Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Dietsch/AP Kevin Dietsch/AP Updated at 8 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., traded public barbs Tuesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., over how to overcome a months-long standoff over the two most significant partisan demands, funding …

Lawmakers look to short-term funding measure as spending talks continue
4 years ago

Lawmakers look to short-term funding measure as spending talks continue

Live Mint  

Lawmakers expect to pass a one-week spending bill soon that would keep the government funded through Dec. 18 and buy more time for complex, year-end negotiations on a long-term funding measure and coronavirus relief. On Sunday, a House Democratic leadership aide said that lawmakers would likely vote this week on a one-week continuing resolution, or short-term spending bill. Senior lawmakers …

McConnell warns White House against COVID relief deal
4 years, 2 months ago

McConnell warns White House against COVID relief deal

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Washington negotiations on a huge COVID-19 relief bill took a modest step forward on Tuesday, though time is running out and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, President Donald Trump’s most powerful Senate ally, is pressing the White House against going forward. McConnell on Tuesday told fellow Republicans that he has warned the White House not to divide Republicans …

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