General
US Senate passes President Joe Biden’s $US1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill, but no change to minimum wage
The US Senate has passed President Joe Biden’s $US1.9 trillion ($2.5 trillion) COVID-19 relief plan in a party-line vote after an all-night session.
Key points:
- The chamber set a record for its longest single vote in the modern era, with the Senate sitting for 11 hours and 50 minutes
- Extended unemployment benefits were the most contentious part of the relief package
- The Senate rejected a move to have the minimum wage more than doubled
The final bill includes $US400 billion ($520 billion) in one-off payments of $1,800 to most Americans, $390 a week in extended jobless benefits for the 9.5 million people thrown out of work in the crisis, and $455 billion in aid to state and local governments.
The Senate voted 50–49, with no Republicans voting…
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