President Joe Biden is poised on Wednesday for his first major legislative victory when the House of Representatives is expected to approve his $1.9-trillion COVID-19 relief package, which forecasters predict will turbocharge the U.S. economy.
The bill, one of the largest stimulus measures in American history, includes $400-billion for $1,400 direct payments to most Americans, $350-billion in aid to state and local governments, an expansion of the child tax credit and increased funding for vaccine distribution.
Biden and his fellow Democrats who narrowly control Congress have described the legislation as a critical response to a pandemic that has killed more than 520,000 and thrown millions out of work.
“This bill attacks inequality and poverty in ways we haven’t seen in a generation,” Democratic Representative Jim McGovern, who chairs the House Rules Committee, said on Tuesday before the House voted to advance the legislation.
Republicans argue it is too costly and comes as the worst phase of the largest public health crisis in a century may have passed.
Biden may not sign the bill until later in the week, while it goes through final checks, according to people familiar with the White House’s plans.
The House is due to meet at 9 a.m. (1400 GMT) for two hours of debate before voting on the bill. The chamber last month passed an earlier version of the bill, but needs to meet again to approve changes made in the Senate over the weekend.
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