U.S. Senate Votes to Take Up $1.9 Trillion Covid Relief Bill
- Biden’s first big bill likely to clear chamber this weekend
- Republicans seek to alter Biden-backed measure during debate
Vice President Kamala Harris
Photographer: Rod Lamkey/Consolidated News Photos/Bloomberg
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The U.S. Senate voted to take up a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill backed by President Joe Biden, setting off a lengthy and partisan debate expected to end this weekend with approval of the nation’s sixth stimulus since the pandemic-triggered lock downs that began a year ago.
The 51-50 vote Thursday, with Vice President Kamala Harris providing the tie-breaker, reflected the solid opposition of Senate Republicans, who say the drive by Democrats to pass it on their own has resulted in a far-too-costly measure that will further boost U.S. debt and could spark inflation.