PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan is moving to the next step after the Senate voted, along party lines, to begin debate over the bill. The marathon session is expected to go through the weekend.
The vote was 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie on Thursday to proceed with debate on the package. Republicans are looking to drag out the proceedings as the Democrats get the bill through with the process of budget reconciliation - a simple majority is needed to pass the legislation instead of 60 votes.
Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, extended the session into early Friday morning by having Senate clerks read every word of the 628-page bill. Republicans are also looking for a "vote-a-rama" that would lead to Senators having to vote on dozens of amendments.
Democrats are aiming big, arguing the economy isn't strong enough because of the effects of the pandemic.
"We are not going to abdicate our responsibility to help the American people just because we started to see the first hint that things aren't as bad as during the very worst days of the pandemic," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Schumer said the economy only saw only temporary surges following the passage of the previous COVID-19 relief bills. He also used the example of not providing enough stimulus during the economic crisis in the late 2000s leading to, "a long, slow, painful recovery. A lost decade."
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Congressional Republicans argue the economy is on track to flourish because of the previous relief packages and the increased vaccinations, and the bill's price tag is too high and not targeted enough.
"Instead of heading into a dark tunnel, we’re accelerating out of it. Incredible vaccines, a rebounding economy that’s what the Biden Administration inherited," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. "The real tragedy here is not Senate process. It's how ill-suited this bill is to what Americans need right now.”
Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, in a conference call with reporters, also maintained his stance against the need for more stimulus. He said that making up for the 10 million jobs lost during the pandemic is a matter of lifting restrictions, though health experts warn against doing that just yet.
"Pennsylvanians and Americans have more disposable income than they ever have. We have a record high savings rate. The unemployment rate is coming down very, very quickly," he said.
A big chunk of the money would go towards another round of economic relief payments. It would be $1,400 for individuals making up to $75,000 a year, $150,000 for married couples. The Senate version of the bill would phase out the checks at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for couples.
The bill would also include $350 billion for city and state governments which Democrats were unable to get in previous packages. Toomey said he opposed that spending as well.
"I totally reject the idea that we need this massive bailouts for these unfunded pension plans, state and local governments, all kinds of other categories. It is not at all necessary. It is not good for the economy," he told reporters.
Democratic lawmakers are looking to get the bill to Biden's desk for passage before March 14 when federal unemployment benefits and other relief programs are slated to expire.