Headline RoundupMarch 6th, 2021

Senate Approves $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Bill

Summary from the AllSides News Team

The U.S. Senate passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package early Saturday morning, after a 27-hour marathon overnight session. Senators voted 50-49, with every Republican voting against the bill, and with one Republican absent. The package kept $1,400 in direct payments for Americans under a certain income threshold and $350 billion to help state and local governments reopen, but scaled back unemployment benefits to $300 a week until early September, and cut a federal $15 minimum wage proposal amid pressure from moderate Democrats. On Saturday morning, President Joe Biden told reporters the package was "one more giant step forward" on delivering on his promise for more pandemic relief. Republican lawmakers heavily criticized the bill; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said "the Senate has never spent $2 trillion in a more haphazard way or through a less rigorous process." The legislation will be sent to the House for approval before it reaches Biden's desk.⁣ ⁣ The story received wide coverage from across the political spectrum. Left-rated outlets tended to provide analysis of various items on the bill. Coverage from some center- and right-rated outlets highlighted the tension between moderate and progressive Democrats, as well as the criticism the bill received from Republican lawmakers.⁣ 3/6/21: This story has been updated for clarity on stimulus payment caps at 2:30 pm PST

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