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© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Biden, Democrats prevail as Senate OKs $1.9 tril virus relief bill
By ALAN FRAM WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
89 Comments
JeffLee
Bravo! The best thing to happen to the US economy- and working people's livelihoods - for a long time.
PTownsend
The money received by Americans who've 'suffered too much for much too long' will help some of the dozens of millions of them who have been so badly hurt by the failed economic policies of the Trump administration.
Though that money might provide some assistance in the short term, something much broader needs to be done to help people get back to work at jobs that provide security.
Hopefully the Republicans will not continue to put obstacles in the path of programs aimed at helping working and middle class Americans recover from the damages done by Trump and his Republicans.
ulysses
The neutered GOP senators probably need more time to grow back their balls.
FizzBit
I'm not sure Joe Biden even understands that he's president now.
No way these 1's and 0's will or can be paid back. The system will crash one day.
The Avenger
When all is said and done, this is a remarkable achievement, desperately needed and a total victory for Joe Biden and the country one month into his term. Congratulations, Mr. President.
I heard that Mitch is upset by this bill passing the Senate.
That alone makes me very, very, very happy.
dbsaiya
For those GOP trump devotees criticizing the bill, please refuse your checks. None of you were crying about trump's tax cuts for the rich and you are now crying fiscal responsibility? Gimmee a break.
dagon
Republicans have gone to full Obama-era obstructionism mode.
So why are Biden and the Democrats, with a tie-breaking majority, reversing on measures like minimum wage hikes, stimulus reduced from $2000 and ramping up foreign interventionism?
The last 10 years have shown bi-partisanship is meaningless.
proxy
Invest in commodities, we are at the start of a commodity super cycle and you need some protection from the risk of rapid inflation this kind of cash infusion creates.
iluvyokohama
Biden promised the voters of Georgia that $2000,00. checks would go out immediately if they elected the two Democratic Senators. The voters of Georgia upheld their part of the deal but Biden did not. $2000,00 became $1,400.00 and immediately became almost 2 months after Biden took office.
Weak and cowardly from Biden that he removed the $15.00 minimum wage from the package. The increase in minimum wage is supported by a large majority of both Democratic and Republican voters. Even Florida voted to raise their minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. The voters elected Joe Biden President and not Joe Manchin, Manchin and a handful of Millionaire Dem. moderates should not be allowed to have veto power over legislation that gives a large portion of the people a living wage for doing their job.
Politik Kills
Who was that insane moron GOP nut that forced the 10 hour reading of the bill, just to hold it up, prolong the agony of the suffering people who need the money? He should be drawn and quartered, oxygen thief.
u_s__reamer
I hope working-class Americans who in the past misguidedly cast their vote for a waste-of-space Republican senator have now woken up to all the right-wing gaslighting and "culture-cancelling" that has Foxed and blinded them for the last five years. Biden has swiftly delivered the much needed help to protect millions from Covid and to put real food on their table while his impotent opponents blather on inanely about Dr Seuss's green eggs and ham, which is why I've just ordered a new popcorn maker.
ReasonandWisdomNippon
Wait a minute.....
I thought JT posters are against stimulus?
You keep complaining every time Japan does it, while it's ok for the rest of the world to do it whenever is necessary.
How many times has America done it already? Can you guess?
itsonlyrocknroll
This so called $1.9 tril virus relief bill has been politically and fiscally hollowed out, yet still required Harris casting vote.
itsonlyrocknroll
I don’t think it matters anymore, one way or another, or if one’s political leaning, left or right.
Will this be spending package having an effect?
Short term maybe, long term, well until the next virus relief bill.
It is living with this pandemic that will ultimately present the true reality.
The Government of China sooner or later must be held accountable
WilliB
I understand 90% of this bill is pork completely unrelated to Corona. So why does the press call this a "virus relief bill"?
WilliB
The Avenger
In what way is it an "achievement" for a government to spend taxpayers money? Seems to me that is the easiest and most tempting thing for any government to do. Responsible governments go easy on this power.
itsonlyrocknroll
9.97 million Americans unemployed, step one.
Bob Fosse
I understand that the stimulus package the previous President and all others before him signed also contained a lot of pork. This is not a new thing, for either party.
Beware however of Facebook posts posting false information and outrage about the stimulus bill sending $20 million dollars to subsidize lgbtq potato farmers in Nicaragua.
Simon Foston
ReasonandWisdomNipponToday 09:05 am JST
That's because it's primarily intended as kickbacks for sleazy business owners who help LDP oyajis get re-elected.
sunfunbun
It was Senator Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin.
A trite and stupid tactic and talk about a true waste of tax payer dollars...how much is 10 hours of wasted senate time worth?.... which typifies the juvenile mind of conservatives.
u_s__reamer
In what way is it an "achievement" for a government to spend taxpayers money? Seems to me that is the easiest and most tempting thing for any government to do. Responsible governments go easy on this power.
And when was the USA last governed by a "responsible government"? Nobody alive today would remember. The passing of this bill was the easy part. From now on Biden will have his work cut out for him to improve the lives of Americans as long as Republicans continue to cynically undermine the foundations of the Republic by cleaving to a bankrupt ideology and to a loser who will take them down to hell in a MAGA hat.
NOMINATION
Biden came out hours ago and said the bill was bi-partisan. lol
Jimizo
Maybe he was being sarcastic...
Jsapc
People who applauded when Trump passed his tax cut that vastly benefitted his rich friends only and are now criticizing this bill as "wasteful spending" should shut up foerever.
bass4funk
And besides not really helping anyone, what’s it for?
Jimizo
You must have read it. I know you wouldn’t just put forward somebody else’s opinion on it.
Lay it out for us.
lincolnman
Trump supporters and Repubs better get used to hearing that phrase, as their party self-implodes....
CPAC was an absolute freak show - each speaker trying to out-rant the next....
McConnell says Trump was "practically and morally" responsible for the insurrection, violence, and deaths on Jan 6th - then says days later that he'd support him if he ran in 2024...
The Repub Party has ceased to be a political entity - it's now just a part of Trump's "fleece the flock" operation - separating his blinded supporters from their money...the only thing they will prevail at....
bass4funk
but here’s the problem, the Democrats don’t use that money to help people. I know you believe that, but in reality is how is this helping?
$50 million for “family planning” – going to non-profits, i.e. Planned Parenthood, or public entities, including for “services for adolescents
Ok, I truly understand that, but I was giving 50 million to planned parenthood helping with paying the mortgage?
So why are people buying expensive cars that they can’t afford?
Yup! But yeah, shenanigans....
SuperLib
Mostly the working class. They haven't been evicted because of the new laws but they will have to pay back rent that they are behind on.
But....who cares? Trump fans who can't pinch two pennies together will get destroyed but you and me, the job creators, will be fine.
bass4funk
Not sure about that, Joe Manchin seems like he starting to fracture the Democrat party as well, at least one Democrat with some sense.
Sounds like AOC and Pelosi trying to outflank each other, funny
What is interesting to me is, no one is really listening to Mitch as he is about to retire soon anyway, another lost Harry Reid
According To liberals, that’s probably what it seems, but I’m happy that the parties moving forward and slowly getting rid of all these establishment Republicans that’ll help the party a great deal, House is next, Dems small majority, not good, not good.
bass4funk
They’ll probably be remembered more for voting against this monstrosity, good on them.
California seems to be pretty much in that same category and they didn’t vote for Trump overwhelmingly...
bass4funk
They’ll probably be remembered more for voting against this monstrosity, good on them.
California seems to be pretty much in that same category and they didn’t vote for Trump overwhelmingly...
PTownsend
The above quote is what I've heard bigots say all my life. I grew up around several Indian reservations and heard white supremacists say that about Natives, that if you drive through the reservation you'll see Cadillacs left by the side of the road because an Indian ran out of gas. The Indian would just wait for his next welfare check to buy a new one. Later I heard it said about Blacks.
SuperLib
Who cares? You and I will be fine. The working class, or, as you say, the non-job creators, will suffer.
It's their fault.
lincolnman
He voted with the Dems for the bill. Now talk to us about Liz Cheney...
They were at CPAC? But they didn't invite Romney or Sasse? Cancel-culture Repub style...
Newsflash: McConnell won re-election in 2020...Trump didn't.
It's a cult...with no principles or values other than to fleece as much money from the flock as it can...
Happy contributing...
NOMINATION
Coming from a member of a party that said Blacks and Hispanics can't use the internet or the only way to get through to them is by rap music. The one that said you aren't Black if you don't vote Democrat.
Jsapc
If you think that Planned Parenthood doesn't "help people", you are just a very silly person.
bass4funk
It was stripped, got caught.
And California the richest state has done what to handle the situation?
In Texas, they can drive any kind of car they want gas guzzling and all.
Toasted Heretic
People the Randians, rich and rightists sneer at.
People struggling to keep their heads above water.
Toasted Heretic
The most evil of evils.
Capitalism.
lincolnman
He had a hard day with the Spruce Goose yesterday too...we're still waiting for him to admit he was wrong and apologize...
bass4funk
That is one Bill, not the filibuster or packing the courts. Liz won't be around much longer so...
Why would they invite rhinos?
Last term and Trump was the head speaker at CPAC-ALERT!.
No cult, No Davd Koresh or Jim Jones just a man that millions admire and the Dems are just angry they can't do anything to stop this guy from running or to get him out of politics.
bass4funk
$200 million in the bill to The Institute of Museum and Library Services (FY2019 budget: $230 million). This agency is so small that it doesn’t even employ an inspector general
This is for the needy? Really? How so?
Apologize? For being right, naw....
bass4funk
I claimed it didn't fly and I stand by for people getting help, my problem is the added pork that Dems want to sneak into this bill that has absolutely nothing to do with COVID relief.
lincolnman
Yet he voted with the Dems and passed the bill. Back to predicting again I see - so Liz won't be around much longer like Trump will win in a landslide and Georgia won't turn Blue... Great track record...
Because they are against cancel-culture, right?
Uh-huh...McConnell won...Trump didn't...
The Dems, and the American people, got him out of the WH in 2020...the Manhattan and NYSD Attorneys will get him into Rikers Island in 2021...
Until then, he'll continue to fleece the flock...
u_s__reamer
Joe Manchin seems like he starting to fracture the Democrat party as well, at least one Democrat with some sense.
The millionaire DINO Munchin representing the jobless, poverty-stricken, opioid-poisoned "Trump" State of West Virginia can't be too thrilled about paying his workers $15 an hour so his feet 'n' knuckle-dragging must have some explicable rationale.
bass4funk
So when everyone gets a check, won't put much stock in it.
They can speak from Washington, nothing that was canceled, ask Mitt, he likes talking.
Won't be for long and the Dems couldn't stop Trump
And he still won the CPAC poll, so not out, not gone definitely not going to prison.
So people can now eat books?
Bob Fosse
Focus on the present Bass.
SandyBeachHeaven
Um, I find it annoying that my spouse got nothing from the first dole out and I did not either because my spouse has an ITIN number, and we pay taxes. My spouse does not need or want to be American. So why should we be paying taxes if we are left out of securing a regular life style like all my friends and family? If we are going to be paying taxes without getting any benefits, then perhaps We can divert our taxes ourselves and donate the money to friends and family in need? Why do we have to pay taxes but not benefit?
Bob Fosse
No, read them. I recommend it.
bass4funk
The Dems losing the House is the focus, Bob. ;D
ClippetyClop
Apart from beating him soundly in elections. A serial loser.
GdTokyo
Straight party line vote on a bill (soon to be law) that 77% of Americans and 60% of Republicans support.
Sounds like really solid election strategy by the GOP.
“Did the stimulus checks pay for your food, your children’s needs or help keep you from being evicted? Did the extended unemployment allow you to get by until the job market recovered? “
“Every single member of the GOP senate voted against that, yet voted to give tax cuts to the super rich. Please, remember who had your back no matter your political affiliation when you cast your ballot.”
bass4funk
If he were beat the Dems wouldn’t continuously go after or be obsessed with this guy. Dems should spend more time on helping people not chase after a former President.
GdTokyo
Except for that pesky free and fair election that he lost by 7 million votes.
And the up-coming indictments.....
And the House in 2018.....
And the Senate in 2020...
Other than that, he’s TOTALLY unstoppable, lol.
lincolnman
Hmmmm....when stuck, resort to word salad...
They weren't invited - in fact, they were criticized...why didn't CPAC invite them so they could respond? Repub cancel culture....now Trump is trying to "cancel" Rove on Fox...
"Couldn't stop Trump"? What about "losing the White House and Senate" do you fail to understand?
I see you still think he is not "out" of the White House....OK...your delusion...
And I'm with you - I'm glad he won CPAC and hope its Trump/Pompeo in 2024 instead of Haley/Cheney or Romney/Sasse. Team Blue couldn't have a better ticket to run against - "The Insurrectionist and his Hatchetman"....
Bob Fosse
But...but...you keep saying how powerful and popular he is and how he’s going to rise from the ashes and beat the Dems with the support of 75+ million Americans.
Wouldn’t it be foolish to ignore such an obvious threat? Or maybe it’s just funny to humiliate the loser further. I know which camp I’m in.
SandyBeachHeaven
I would apply for Japanese citizenship but America would take 20% off the top of my investments as a penalty plus make me pay thousands of dollars to give up my American passport.
Wolfpack
Nce to see the so-called conservative party opposing reckless deficits again. Now the Dems can go back to saying that deficits don’t matter - unless of course the president is a Republican.
I don’t understand why Dems don’t go really big and just make everyone in America millionaires. What could possibly be holding them back from equitably providing for all. Just pass the Make All Citizens Financially Secure Act. It isn’t fair for people to have to worry about where their next meal is coming from regardless of whether or not they are willing to work for it or not.
Lazarus Knows
Every word of this is true.
Bob Fosse
clearly.
Goodlucktoyou
$15 an hour?
lincolnman
If the Repubs weren't irrelevant before, they sure are now - as has been stated above, this bill had a 76% approval rate - and even over 50% of Repub voters approved of it.
The House and Senate Repubs voted against a bill that;
► Provides most Americans earning up to $75,000 a $1,400 stimulus check.
► Extends a $300 weekly federal boost to unemployment benefits through August
► Sends $350 billion to state and local governments whose revenue has declined because of COVID-19's impact on the economy.
► Allocates $130 billion to help fully reopen schools and colleges.
► Allots $30 billion to help renters and landlords weather economic losses.
► Devotes $50 billion for small-business assistance.
► Dedicates $160 billion for vaccine development, distribution and related needs.
► Expands the child tax credit up to $3,600 per child.
Yes, that's right - after a year of faux moaning about "opening schools", the Pubs voted against a bill that would do just that...
Try to run on that in 2022 and 2024...while defending an insurrection and deflecting from the deaths of over 450K Americans...
And your ex-President behind bars for tax and insurance fraud...
mikeylikesit
So that explains why Democrats dropped the threshold for paying taxes on part-time contract work from $20,000 down to $600! The bill is helping the working class by imposing billions in new taxes that affect almost only the working class, while funneling money to “nonprofits” with highly paid lobbyists. It’s so clear now...
bass4funk
It never made it and it’s a museum, history. A lost cause like Biden’s policies.
You're talking to the wrong person as a rational person who abhors racism
$270 million funds the National Endowment of the Arts and the Humanities (FY2019 budget: $253 million) – In 2017, our study showed eighty-percent of all non-profit grant making flowed to well-heeled organizations with over $1 million in assets.
So people are now consuming art for sustenance?
mikeylikesit
That’s funny. Japan reopened schools fully after less than two months. Didn’t take $130 billion dollars, or even ¥130 billion, to do it. And there have been no major problems in Japanese schools. What are Biden and the teachers’ unions actually spending that money on?
bass4funk
According to whom. I don’t know a single person that was polled and I know a lot of people and they’re all conservatives, but if they polled conservatives in blues States then the numbers would make sense.
mikeylikesit
P. Smith: Not so hard to find...
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/05/gig-workers-coronavirus-relief-bill-losers-473902
bass4funk
Speaking of Biden....
and then disinvited, no one wants to see or vote for these people. Stop getting in a sling, you like it when Greene is censured, but you give credibility to fools like Romney and Sasse. Come on now...
And the GOP what to stop it? Putting up unpopular Washington establishment swamp creatures that’s on them.
Hmmm...that would be Biden and his minions and that’s an understatement.
Yes!!!!
starpunk
Biden prevails!
Democrats in Congress prevail!
Sanity prevails!
Bravo!