$1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill passes in Senate

By Teddy Grant Published: March 6, 2021

$1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill passes in Senate

In the Nov. 6, 2020, file photo, shades of red and blue light of dawn fills the sky behind Capitol Hill in Washington. According to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about half of Americans say the Senate should vote to convict former President Donald Trump at the end of his impeachment trial. And a majority think he bears at least some blame for the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

The Democratic-led U.S. Senate passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill on Saturday in a crucial victory for President Joe Biden.

Senators approved the package on a 50-49 party-line vote, according to the Associated Press. The bill goes to the House next week for a vote before Biden signs it.

BREAKING: Senate votes 50-49 to pass President Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid relief package.

Every Democrat votes YES, every Republican votes NO.

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) March 6, 2021

According to the AP, the bill will provide a $1,400 direct payment to most Americans, extend unemployment benefits and provide funding for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations and funds for cities and schools.

“We tell the American people, help is on the way,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said. “Our job right now is to help our country get from this stormy present to that hopeful future.”

The bill’s narrow passage comes after senators worked through the night on amendments, which Republicans rejected.

“The Senate has never spent $2 trillion in a more haphazard way,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, per the AP. “Their top priority wasn’t pandemic relief. It was their Washington wish list.”

Biden is expected to speak this afternoon on the bill’s passage, a White House official told CNN.