Stimulus Bill Rolling Toward Friday Vote In House
Meanwhile, a group of business executives endorse the package while Republicans signal that this could be the first covid relief package that receives zero Republican votes of support.
The Hill:
Hoyer: House Will Vote On COVID-19 Relief Bill Friday
The House will vote on President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package on Friday, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said on Tuesday night. “The House will vote on Friday on @POTUS’ #AmericanRescuePlan to end this pandemic and deliver urgently needed relief to America’s families and small businesses. The American people strongly support this bill, and we are moving swiftly to see it enacted into law,” Hoyer tweeted. (Williams, 2/23)
Roll Call:
House Democrats Prep Changes To Coronavirus Relief Package
A $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill continued to take shape Tuesday, with suspense building over whether a minimum wage increase would survive. House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth has assembled an initial 138-page draft manager's amendment full of changes to the 592-page version his committee approved on Monday, including the submissions of three committees that didn't mark up their portions previously. (Krawzak, 2/23)
CNN:
First On CNN: Biden's Covid Plan Gets Backing From More Than 150 Top Business Leaders
More than 150 senior executives from some of the largest American companies across several major industries have lined up behind President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, according to a letter obtained by CNN. (Mattingly, 2/24)
The Hill:
Collins: Biden's $1.9T Coronavirus Package Won't Get Any Senate GOP Votes
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) says that President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package likely won’t get any Republican votes on the Senate floor. And she pointed to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and White House chief of staff Ron Klain as a major reason why bipartisan talks on the relief bill fell apart. (Bolton, 2/23)
Politico:
'Bad Politics For Them': GOP Sneers At Dem Covid Bill
Republicans are making a risky but calculated bet: that voters won’t punish them for opposing a popular $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill. With President Joe Biden and Democrats barely even seeking their input, Republicans are now gambling that there will be more backlash over schools staying closed, the Covid bill's massive price tag and a partisan process. And with the GOP closing ranks to oppose the aid package, it could become the first pandemic relief plan that garners zero support from Republicans — following a year with five bipartisan bills and more than $3 trillion spent on fighting the virus. (Zanona and Everett, 2/23)
In related news about the effects of covid —
Roll Call:
Mental Health Experts Say Funding Needed To Address Needs
Growing behavioral health needs and existing workforce inadequacies are amplifying calls for Congress to provide additional resources to address a national mental health crisis exacerbated by COVID-19, the economic recession, and social isolation. (Raman, 2/23)
The Hill:
Children's Hospitals, Pediatricians Urge Biden To Prioritize Youth Mental Health
Children’s hospitals and pediatricians are calling on the Biden administration to prioritize children’s mental, emotional and behavioral health in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. ... They also think Congress should provide new funding for activities at the state and local level to support children like telehealth, training for crisis response, and school-based services. (Gangitano, 2/24)
