Stimulus Passes
The House gave final approval to a $1.9T economic aid package yesterday, passing the sweeping bill by a near party-line 220-211 vote. It marks the second-largest stimulus in US history behind last March's $2.2T CARES Act, and brings the total aid passed to counter the pandemic above $5T.
The proposal includes $1,400 direct payments to individuals making up to $75K, a sum dropping to zero at $80K ($150K to $160K for those filing jointly). The threshold for single parents is raised to $112.5K and drops to zero at $120K. Eligible households will also receive $1,400 per dependent. The cost of direct payments is near $400B.
The bill also significantly expands the child tax credit, provides $86B in pension support, $30B to support cash-strapped public transportation systems, and $28B in funding for the restaurant industry. A provision for $350B in state and local aid, criticized by Republicans, is included. Roughly $123B, or 7% of the bill, is marked for direct COVID-19 response, including testing and vaccine distribution. See a more detailed breakdown of the package here ($$, WashPo).
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law Friday.
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