Democrats push forward with $1.9 trillion COVID bill, clearing Senate hurdle
Source: CBS News
BY GRACE SEGERS
FEBRUARY 3, 2021 / 7:05 AM / CBS NEWS
Washington — The Senate on Tuesday cleared a procedural hurdle on the road to passing President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal, a signal that congressional Democrats will continue to move forward with a vote to provide more economic assistance whether or not Republicans come to the negotiating table.
"We cannot, cannot afford to dither, delay or dilute. We need a big, bold package along the lines of what President Biden has proposed, the American Relief Plan. We hope that our Republican colleagues will join us in offering amendments," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a speech ahead of the vote on Tuesday.
A motion to proceed to debate over the budget resolution that serves as the vehicle for the aid package passed by a 50 to 49 vote along party lines in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon.
Democrats are eschewing the traditional method of passing legislation in the Senate, which requires 60 votes to end debate on most legislation, in favor of an expedited process known as budget reconciliation that allows legislation to pass with a simple majority of 51 votes. Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi filed a joint budget resolution on Monday, kickstarting the reconciliation process.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stimulus-covid-relief-democrats-1-9-trillion-plan/
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