And the COVID stimulus package was just now approved in the House (again) by a vote of 220-211. No Republicans voted for the legislation. From the Washington Post:
Congress approved a sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package on Wednesday, authorizing a flurry of new federal spending and a temporary yet dramatic increase in anti-poverty programs to help millions of families still struggling amid the pandemic.
The 220-211 vote in the House of Representatives almost entirely along party lines now sends to Biden’s desk one of the largest economic rescue packages in U.S. history, which Democrats had promised to pass as one of their first acts of governance after securing narrow but potent majorities in Washington after the 2020 presidential election.
The bill, dubbed the American Rescue Plan, authorizes another round of stimulus payments up to $1,400 for most Americans, extends additional, enhanced unemployment aid to millions still out of a job, and makes major changes to the tax code to benefit families with children.
The Post adds that President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law on Friday. Read the full article here.
The U.S. Capitol building (via senate.gov) After a 27 hour marathon session, the U.S. Senate voted 50-49 on Saturday to approve President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. The vote was split down party lines with all 50 Democrats voting for the bill and all Republicans (minus one absent GOP senator) voting against. The $1.9 trillion price tag is less than the $2.2 trillion package passed with bipartisan support last March. This vote makes clear the Senate Republicans plan to obstruct the Biden administration. The package heads back to the House due to some changes made to the legislation in the Senate most notably removing language that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Last month, the Senate parliamentarian ruled the minimum wage language was not allowed since the Democrats were using a simple majority vote via budget reconciliation. In its present form, the bill will:
• Provide $46 billion for COVID testing and tracing; $7.6 billion for pandemic response at community health centers; $5.2 billion to support research, development and manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics and other medical products; and $7.7 billion to expand the public health care workforce.
• $1,400 stimulus payments for most Americans. • $128.6 billion to help K-12 schools reopen. • $350 billion in state and local aid. • $25 billion in aid to restaurants and other food and drinking establishments. • $19 billion in emergency rental assistance. • $7.25 billion in funds for Paycheck Protection Program loans. • Extends the enhanced federal unemployment insurance of $300 per week through September 6 and will make the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits received in 2020 non-taxable for households making less than $150,000. President Biden issued a short statement about the passage of the American Rescue Plan (including throwing some shade in the direction of “the former guy”):
“When I was elected, I said we were going to get the government out of the business of battling on Twitter and back in the business of delivering for the American people, of making a difference in their lives, giving everyone a chance, a fighting chance of showing the American people that their government can work for them.
“I really want to thank the American people for making all this possible. Without the overwhelming bipartisan support of the American people, this would not have happened. Your elected officials heard you.”
Today, the Senate passed the American Rescue Plan – bringing us one step closer to delivering much-needed relief. Tune in as I deliver remarks. https://t.co/wX8fXNGYqi
Dr. Yazan Abou-Ismail (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • Out: A transgender woman has filed a lawsuit against staff at the Michigan Department of Corrections where she was imprisoned, claiming she was raped after staff forced her to share a cell with a convicted rapist and murderer. She was raped a second time by another inmate after staff forced her to share a cell with him (another convicted rapist) following her return from the hospital. • Greg In Hollywood: Today marks the 12th anniversary of the longtime LGBTQ blog run by the awesome Greg Hernandez. In recognizing the date, Greg says he’s going to take some time off – but not permanently – before heading into his next year of celebrity/entertainment news. • The Hill: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), a Trump ally and fiscal conservative, says he plans to force the Senate clerks to read aloud the entire $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill on the Senate floor, which could slow it down by as much as 10 hours. It’s worth noting a wide a majority of Americans support the legislation: a new Morning Consult poll shows 77% of Americans support the bill.
Ron Johnson: “I’m going to make them read their 600-700 page bill.”
Johnson also plans to force votes on a HUGE amount of amendments to drag it out. “We need to keep this process going…I’m going to lead the effort to resist this thing.” Suggests it could drag into Sunday — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 3, 2021
• Washington Post: The House of Representatives will not be in session on Thursday as planned after officials warned of credible threats of violence circulated by right-wing extremists that March 4 is the “true Inauguration Day” when former president Donald Trump will be sworn in for a second term. • CBS News: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York addressed the mounting sexual harassment allegations against him Wednesday. “I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it and, frankly, I am embarrassed by it.” Cuomo said he will “fully cooperate” with the attorney general’s investigation, adding he’s “learned an important lesson.” • InstaHunks: Woofy Dr. Yazan Abou-Ismail (top photo) is giving you serious furry goodness. He also has a fun sense of humor.
(screen capture) Late Friday night, the House approved President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief package by a vote of 219-212. Two Democrats — Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.) — joined Republicans in voting against the bill. The legislation provides: • Stimulus checks of up to $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000. The amount reduces for higher earners with a cut-off at $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married couples. • $350 billion to state and local governments and tribal governments. • $130 billion in additional help to schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The money would be used to reduce class sizes and modify classrooms to enhance social distancing, install ventilation systems and purchase personal protective equipment. • Expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government would be extended, with an increase from $300 a week to $400 a week. • $46 billion to expand federal, state and local testing for COVID-19 and to enhance contact tracing capabilities. Also about $14 billion to speed up the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines across the country. House Democrats kept the minimum wage increase to $15 an hour in the legislation to make a point, but it’s not going to happen. The Senate parliamentarian ruled that falls outside of the process being used by Democrats to pass the bill with a simple majority. Democrats hope to see the fully-approved bill head to Biden’s desk by mid-March. More details at AP News.
President Joe Biden (image via Twitter/POTUS) After meeting with Senate Republicans, President Biden’s signaled he’s considering targeting stimulus checks to Americans to only low- and middle-income families. From the Washington Post:
Biden and Democratic leaders in Congress argue a third round of stimulus checks is necessary to ensure people who have lost their jobs or taken a pay cut still have enough money to buy food, pay rent and get the medical care they need during a pandemic. But the White House has signaled the president is willing to narrow who gets them, sending checks only to low- and moderate-income families this time around.
Individuals with incomes up to $50,000 would get the full $1,400 payment. Heads of household earning up to $75,000 would also qualify, and married couples with earnings up to $100,000 would get a $2,800 payment. (Past stimulus checks were based off of “adjusted gross income,” and that is likely to be the same again).
And the COVID stimulus package was just now approved in the House (again) by a vote of 220-211. No Republicans voted for the legislation. From the Washington Post: 
