Biden news: Congress passes $1.9 trillion Covid bill as president says US to share surplus vaccines
Follow updates below
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Congress has passed the $1.9 trillion (£1.37 trillion) coronavirus relief bill. Joe Biden will sign it into law on Friday afternoon. The package will provide a direct payment of $1,400 (£1,009) to most Americans.
GOP representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senator Lindsey Graham have decried the bill as racist towards white people. As high a figure as 75 per cent of Americans approve of the bill according to polls, including 59 per cent of Republicans.
“It’s a remarkable, historic, transformative piece of legislation which goes a very long way to crushing the virus and solving our economic crisis,” House SpeakerNancy Pelosi said on Tuesday.
Speaking after the passage of the bill, Mr Biden, announcing a further order of 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, said if the US had surplus vaccines they would be shared with other countries that need the extra doses.
Meanwhile, it was announced that the US and China will meet in Anchorage, Alaska on 18 March, the first such meeting between the Biden administration and the People’s Republic. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend with NSA Jake Sullivan.
Covid bill to be signed on Friday afternoon
President Biden will sign the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan into law on Friday, press secretary Jen Psaki announces.
The bill is expected to be passed this afternoon.
The White House says Joe Biden will appoint someone to run the implementation of the American Rescue Plan, but there is no announcement yet on who specifically will take on the task.
Ms Psaki says the order of another 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine is because the US wants to be “oversupplied and overprepared” going forward.
There are other factors out there to consider she adds.
- The efficacy of the vaccine on kids
- The potential for new variants
- The possible need for booster shots
White House says that they expect a frank discussion between the US and China on 18 March in Anchorage, Alaska.
Ms Psaki says it was important that the first such meeting took place on American soil.
The president was briefed earlier today by the delegation of administration officials who visited the border at the weekend on what they saw and conditions at the facilities they visited.
The focus of the meeting was what steps to take to expedite the process of placing unaccompanied children with vetted families and out of border facilities.
Congress passes $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill
Congress just passed $1.9trn of stimulus checks, unemployment aid, and other Covid measures
Democrats band together to send $1,400 stimulus checks to most Americans, extend unemployment aid, and bolster state and local governments in historic new legislation
Concerns over J&J vaccine distribution to poor and minority communitiees
Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine was lauded as a “game changer” by health experts in the fight to vaccinate a majority of the American public given its efficacy against severe disease from Covid-19 and being only a one-dose shot.
But experts have raised concerns about the vaccine being specifically distributed to poor or minority communities, with concerns the protection will be inferior to what other areas are receiving from the other two available vaccines.
Danielle Zoellner reports.
Concerns over J&J vaccine distribution to Black communities as Biden set to announce 100m more doses
Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 72 per cent effective against Covid-19
Biden statement on passage of American Rescue Plan
President Joe Biden on the House Passage of the American Rescue Plan
For weeks now, an overwhelming percentage of Americans – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans – have made it clear they support the American Rescue Plan.
Today, with final passage in the House of Representatives, their voice has been heard. Now we move forward with the resources needed to vaccinate the nation. To get $1,400 in direct payments to 85% of American households. To expand coverage and help with lowering health care premiums. To give small businesses what they need to stay open. To expand unemployment insurance, provide food and nutrition assistance. To help keep a roof over people’s heads. To cut child poverty in half.
This legislation is about giving the backbone of this nation – the essential workers, the working people who built this country, the people who keep this country going – a fighting chance.
I want to thank all the members who voted for it, especially Speaker Pelosi, the finest and most capable speaker in the history of our nation. Once again, she has led into law an historic piece of legislation that addresses a major crisis and lifts up millions of Americans.
On Friday, I look forward to signing the American Rescue Plan into law at the White House – a people’s law at the people’s house.
Senate confirms Macia Fudge to lead HUD
Ohio congresswoman Marcia Fudge has been confirmed as the first Black woman to head the department of housing and urban development in more than 40 years.
The 68-year-old Democrat, who represents Ohio’s 11th congressional district, which includes part of the city of Cleveland, was confirmed 66-34 by the Senate, and secured the support of a number of Republicans as well as senators from her own party.
Among those who backed her for the position was Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell.
Andrew Buncome reports.
Marcia Fudge confirmed as first Black woman to be housing secretary in more than 40 years
Ohio congresswoman said ‘major reason’ Joe Biden won election was support of African American women
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments