The House narrowly approved a $3 trillion coronavirus aid bill that would provide a historic level of federal money to those impacted by the pandemic, bucking Republican opposition as well as a veto pledge from President Trump.
House Democrats passed 208-199 the measure mostly along party lines, with almost no Republican support. Fourteen Democrats voted no, and one Republican, Rep. Pete King of New York, supported it.
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Democratic leaders labeled the measure the “Heroes Act” after the front-line workers who, under the bill, would receive “hazard pay” for their work.
The measure would provide $1 trillion to state, local, municipal, and tribal governments to help them keep operating without the tax revenue lost because of the economic shutdown and $200 billion in “hazard pay” for those working in grocery stores, medical facilities, and other front-line jobs.
It also would provide a new round of $1,200 direct payments to individuals and an extension of the $600 in extra unemployment insurance benefits now provided to those who lost jobs in the pandemic.
“The Heroes Act is a bold step to provide that support and ensure our nation meets the challenge of the pandemic and the ensuing economic recession,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, a New York Democrat.
The bill would provide an influx of federal money to a long list of recipients.
It would dedicate $175 billion to pay for rent, mortgages, utilities, and other housing costs for those who cannot afford it. It would also increase food stamp benefits by 15%.
The measure would add $25 billion to bail out the Postal Service, which is badly in debt and threatening it cannot continue functioning without a new infusion of federal aid. It would wipe out up to $10,000 in debt per student loan.
The measure includes several policy directives, including same-day and mail-in voting requirements for states conducting federal elections. It would also eliminate the cap on state and local tax deductions, which Republicans argued would only benefit wealthier residents in blue states.
Republicans denounced the measure as politically motivated and argued they were not included in crafting the bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he won’t take up the legislation, and Trump promised a veto if it ever reached his desk.
Rep. Gregg Walden, an Oregon Republican, called the measure “a progressive manifesto that’s dead on arrival in the Senate.”
McConnell and Trump said they plan to wait a few weeks before deciding what kind of spending package to consider next. Any new spending legislation must include lawsuit liability reforms, McConnell said.
Congress has already passed four coronavirus spending measures totaling $2.8 billion.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress should not wait.
“Do you think this virus is taking a pause? Do you think that the rent takes a pause? Do you think that putting food on the table or the hunger that comes if you can’t takes a pause?“ the California Democrat argued on the House floor. “The hardship of losing a job doesn’t take a pause or tragically losing a loved one. It doesn’t take a pause.”
A handful of Democrats voted against the legislation, including several moderates who said the sweeping legislation was not targeted enough to the coronavirus outbreak.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington, voted against the bill because it did not include other safety net provisions, including a paycheck replacement plan she authored.
Rep. Pete King, a New York Republican who is retiring, voted for the bill, citing the help states need to cope with depleted budgets that have resulted from the economic slowdown.
