AMERICANS can soon expect their $1,400 stimulus checks in the mail after the House just passed President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.
The bill's passing comes 36 days after Biden took office, when he promised Americans would receive "immediate" relief as soon as he took office.
"For millions of Americans who’ve lost hours and wages, or have lost jobs, we can deliver immediate relief, and it need be done quickly," Biden said in his first speech after becoming president-elect in November.
"Congress should come together and pass a Covid relief package," he said, adding it will be the first thing he did when he came into office.
The bill passed the House with a vote of 219 to 212, with all Republican representatives and two Democratic ones voting against the bill.
It now will head to the Senate for vote and will then be signed by Biden into law.
Biden's proposal was met with significant backlash as Republicans looked to remove certain aspects they found unnecessary in delivering immediate aid to Americans.
"To my colleagues who say this bill is bold, I say it's bloated," said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who, along with his Republican cohorts, voted to strike the $15 minimum wage from the bill.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a more uplifting viewpoint: "We're going to make a giant step forward tonight."
With the Senate evenly split and Vice President Kamala Harris bringing in a tie-breaking vote, every Senate Democrat must vote in favor of the package.
Once passed, it heads to Biden for approval by March 14, meaning checks could be sent out the week of March 22.
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