fbpx
Monday, March 20th, 2023 at 5:55 AM
Lootpress
  • News
    • All
    • Business
    • Consumer
    • Crime
    • Featured
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Politics
    • State
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News

    Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

    GALLERY: Snowy Day in the Railroad Town of Thurmond

    Dollar Tree can’t afford to sell eggs anymore

    New law allows anti-abortion monument at Arkansas Capitol

    Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

    Melcenia Fields | Photo: George Bragg Collection

    Beury’s Last Resident: Melcenia Fields

    Photo: Glenville State University

    Glenville State University Student Conducts Institution’s First Live Vertebrate Experiment

    Vidalia Onion Committee

    Vidalia Onions headed for shelves April 17

    Coors Light

    Coors Light introduces new beer-flavored Coors-icles

    Trending Tags

    • Raleigh County
    • Fayette County
    • Mercer County
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National

      Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

      Dollar Tree can’t afford to sell eggs anymore

      Beckley singer’s American Idol audition to air Sunday

      50 most popular food and snack brands

      Louisiana works out deal for family to keep pet nutria

      Florida may ban girls’ period talk in elementary grades

      Sheetz Cuts Gas Prices for One Week

      FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) listens during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Michael Regan's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Brandon Bell/Pool/File Photo

      Members of West Virginia Delegation Stand Up for Domestic Hardwood Plywood Producers

      Former President Donald Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday

    • Politics

      Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

      Some Trump rivals rally to his side as possible charges loom

      FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) listens during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Michael Regan's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Brandon Bell/Pool/File Photo

      Members of West Virginia Delegation Stand Up for Domestic Hardwood Plywood Producers

      Former President Donald Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday

      Key Democratic groups won’t commit to supporting Manchin re-election following party criticism

      FILE - In this Feb. 20, 1978, file photo, President Jimmy Carter listens to Sen. Joseph R. Biden, D-Del., as they wait to speak at fund raising reception at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del. President Joe Biden says he plans to deliver the eulogy at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, who remains under hospice care at his home in south Georgia. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma, File)

      Biden says Jimmy Carter has asked him to deliver his eulogy

      Biden expected to sign new executive order on gun control

      WV law makes obstructing police, ‘causing death’ a felony

      ?????????????????????????????????????????

      Biden OKs controversial, huge Willow oil drilling in Alaska

    • State

      Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

      GALLERY: Snowy Day in the Railroad Town of Thurmond

      Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

      Melcenia Fields | Photo: George Bragg Collection

      Beury’s Last Resident: Melcenia Fields

      Photo: Glenville State University

      Glenville State University Student Conducts Institution’s First Live Vertebrate Experiment

      Beckley singer’s American Idol audition to air Sunday

      WVU Women’s Basketball Coach Plitzuweit accepts position at Minnesota after one year in Morgantown

      Arts Alive! Series to Bring Renowned Holocaust Speaker to WVWC March 23

      Amendment proposed for Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
  • Community Calendar
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Business
    • Consumer
    • Crime
    • Featured
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Politics
    • State
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News

    Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

    GALLERY: Snowy Day in the Railroad Town of Thurmond

    Dollar Tree can’t afford to sell eggs anymore

    New law allows anti-abortion monument at Arkansas Capitol

    Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

    Melcenia Fields | Photo: George Bragg Collection

    Beury’s Last Resident: Melcenia Fields

    Photo: Glenville State University

    Glenville State University Student Conducts Institution’s First Live Vertebrate Experiment

    Vidalia Onion Committee

    Vidalia Onions headed for shelves April 17

    Coors Light

    Coors Light introduces new beer-flavored Coors-icles

    Trending Tags

    • Raleigh County
    • Fayette County
    • Mercer County
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National

      Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

      Dollar Tree can’t afford to sell eggs anymore

      Beckley singer’s American Idol audition to air Sunday

      50 most popular food and snack brands

      Louisiana works out deal for family to keep pet nutria

      Florida may ban girls’ period talk in elementary grades

      Sheetz Cuts Gas Prices for One Week

      FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) listens during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Michael Regan's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Brandon Bell/Pool/File Photo

      Members of West Virginia Delegation Stand Up for Domestic Hardwood Plywood Producers

      Former President Donald Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday

    • Politics

      Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

      Some Trump rivals rally to his side as possible charges loom

      FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) listens during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Michael Regan's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Brandon Bell/Pool/File Photo

      Members of West Virginia Delegation Stand Up for Domestic Hardwood Plywood Producers

      Former President Donald Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday

      Key Democratic groups won’t commit to supporting Manchin re-election following party criticism

      FILE - In this Feb. 20, 1978, file photo, President Jimmy Carter listens to Sen. Joseph R. Biden, D-Del., as they wait to speak at fund raising reception at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del. President Joe Biden says he plans to deliver the eulogy at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, who remains under hospice care at his home in south Georgia. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma, File)

      Biden says Jimmy Carter has asked him to deliver his eulogy

      Biden expected to sign new executive order on gun control

      WV law makes obstructing police, ‘causing death’ a felony

      ?????????????????????????????????????????

      Biden OKs controversial, huge Willow oil drilling in Alaska

    • State

      Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

      GALLERY: Snowy Day in the Railroad Town of Thurmond

      Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

      Melcenia Fields | Photo: George Bragg Collection

      Beury’s Last Resident: Melcenia Fields

      Photo: Glenville State University

      Glenville State University Student Conducts Institution’s First Live Vertebrate Experiment

      Beckley singer’s American Idol audition to air Sunday

      WVU Women’s Basketball Coach Plitzuweit accepts position at Minnesota after one year in Morgantown

      Arts Alive! Series to Bring Renowned Holocaust Speaker to WVWC March 23

      Amendment proposed for Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
  • Community Calendar
No Result
View All Result
Lootpress
No Result
View All Result

$900B COVID relief bill passed by Congress, sent to Trump

Gailyn Markham by Gailyn Markham
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 12:37 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Monday night that would finally deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Lawmakers tacked on a $1.4 trillion catchall spending bill and thousands of pages of other end-of-session business in a massive bundle of bipartisan legislation as Capitol Hill prepared to close the books on the year. The bill goes to President Donald Trump for his signature, which is expected in the coming days.

The relief package, unveiled Monday afternoon, sped through the House and Senate in a matter of hours. The Senate cleared the massive package by a 92-6 vote after the House approved the COVID-19 package by another lopsided vote, 359-53. The tallies were a bipartisan coda to months of partisanship and politicking as lawmakers wrangled over the relief question, a logjam that broke after President-elect Joe Biden urged his party to accept a compromise with top Republicans that is smaller than many Democrats would have liked.

The bill combines coronavirus-fighting funds with financial relief for individuals and businesses. It would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses, restaurants, and theaters and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction.

The 5,593-page legislation — by far the longest bill ever — came together Sunday after months of battling, posturing and postelection negotiating that reined in a number of Democratic demands as the end of the congressional session approached. Biden was eager for a deal to deliver long-awaited help to suffering people and a boost to the economy, even though it was less than half the size that Democrats wanted in the fall.

“This deal is not everything I want — not by a long shot,” said Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., a longstanding voice in the party’s old-school liberal wing. “The choice before us is simple. It’s about whether we help families or not. It’s about whether we help small businesses and restaurants or not. It’s about whether we boost (food stamp) benefits and strengthen anti-hunger programs or not. And whether we help those dealing with a job loss or not. To me, this is not a tough call.”

The Senate, meanwhile, was also on track to pass a one-week stopgap spending bill to avert a partial government shutdown at midnight and give Trump time to sign the sweeping legislation.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a key negotiator, said on CNBC Monday morning that the direct payments would begin arriving in bank accounts next week.

Democrats promised more aid to come once Biden takes office, but Republicans were signaling a wait-and-see approach.

The measure would fund the government through September, wrapping a year’s worth of action on annual spending bills into a single package that never saw Senate committee or floor debate.

The legislation followed a tortured path. Democrats played hardball up until Election Day, amid accusations that they wanted to deny Trump a victory that might help him prevail. Democrats denied that, but their demands indeed became more realistic after Trump’s loss and as Biden made it clear that half a loaf was better than none.

The final bill bore ample resemblance to a $1 trillion package put together by Senate Republican leaders in July, a proposal that at the time was scoffed at by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as way too little.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took a victory lap after blocking far more ambitious legislation from reaching the Senate floor. He said the pragmatic approach of Biden was key.

“The president-elect suggesting that we needed to do something now was helpful in moving both Pelosi and Schumer into a better place,” McConnell told The Associated Press. “My view about what comes next is let’s take a look at it. Happy to evaluate that based upon the needs that we confront in February and March.”

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, D-Calif., came to the Senate to cast her vote for the bill. “The American people need relief and I want to be able to do what I can to help them,” she said.

On direct payments, the bill provides $600 to individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 to couples making up to $150,000, with payments phased out for higher incomes. An additional $600 payment will be made per dependent child, similar to the last round of relief payments in the spring.

“I expect we’ll get the money out by the beginning of next week — $2,400 for a family of four,” Mnuchin said. “So much needed relief just in time for the holidays.”

The $300 per week bonus jobless benefit was half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the $1.8 billion CARES Act in March. That more generous benefit and would be limited to 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks. The direct $600 stimulus payment was also half the March payment.

The CARES Act was credited with keeping the economy from falling off a cliff during widespread lockdowns in the spring, but Republicans controlling the Senate cited debt concerns in pushing against Democratic demands.

“Anyone who thinks this bill is enough hasn’t heard the desperation in the voices of their constituents, has not looked into the eyes of the small-business owner on the brink of ruin,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, a lifelong New Yorker who pushed hard for money helping his city’s transit systems, renters, theaters and restaurants.

Progress came after a bipartisan group of pragmatists and moderates devised a $908 billion plan that built a middle-ground position that the top four leaders of Congress — the GOP and Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate — used as the basis for their talks. The lawmakers urged leaders on both sides to back off of hardline positions.

“At times we felt like we were in the wilderness because people on all sides of the aisle didn’t want to give, in order to give the other side a win,” said freshman Rep. Elssa Slotkin, D-Mich. “And it was gross to watch, frankly.”

Republicans were most intent on reviving the Paycheck Protection Program with $284 billion, which would cover a second round of PPP grants to especially hard-hit businesses. Democrats won set-asides for low-income and minority communities.

The sweeping bill also contains $25 billion in rental assistance, $15 billion for theaters and other live venues, $82 billion for local schools, colleges and universities, and $10 billion for child care.

The governmentwide appropriations bill was likely to provide a last $1.4 billion installment for Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall as a condition of winning his signature. The Pentagon would receive $696 billion. Democrats and Senate Republicans prevailed in a bid to use bookkeeping maneuvers to squeeze $12.5 billion more for domestic programs into the legislation.

The bill was an engine to carry much of Capitol Hill’s unfinished business, including an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control, environmental and coastal protection projects. Another addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks, such as one for craft brewers, wineries and distillers.

It also would carry numerous clean-energy provisions sought by Democrats with fossil fuel incentives favored by Republicans, $7 billion to increase access to broadband, $4 billion to help other nations vaccinate their people, $14 billion for cash-starved transit systems, $1 billion for Amtrak and $2 billion for airports and concessionaires. Food stamp benefits would temporarily be increased by 15%.

The Senate Historical Office said the previous record for the length of legislation was the 2,847-page tax reform bill of 1986 — about one-half the size of Monday’s behemoth.

ShareTweetSend
Gailyn Markham

Gailyn Markham

Gailyn Markham is a multimedia journalist for Lootpress. She joined the Lootpress staff in November of 2020. Gailyn graduated from Concord University in May of 2019 with a BA in English Journalism and a minor in Sociology. During her time there, she was a staff writer for the school’s newspaper, “The Concordian,” and received the 2019 Outstanding Journalist Award for her work. Before joining the Lootpress team, Gailyn interned for The Register-Herald and, upon completing her internship, was asked to continue working as a freelance writer. She freelanced for the newspaper for two years. A West Virginia native, Gailyn has always been devoted to telling the stories of the Mountain State. When she isn’t working, she enjoys taking advantage of West Virginia’s many outdoor adventures, reading, and renovating her home with her husband, Chris. For news tips or story ideas, email Gailyn at gailynmarkham@lootpress.com. You can also follow her on Facebook.

Don't Miss

Featured

Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

8 hours ago
Featured

GALLERY: Snowy Day in the Railroad Town of Thurmond

10 hours ago
Business

Dollar Tree can’t afford to sell eggs anymore

14 hours ago

Sign up for our weekly email recap of the week's top stories and be entered to win a $25 Visa gift card weekly.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


Thank you for choosing Lootpress as your news source.

Top Stories

  • All
  • News

Choose the Community Choice Boys Player of the Year!

March 17, 2023

Beckley singer’s American Idol audition to air Sunday

March 19, 2023
A kitchen supervisor at Southern Regional Jail is arrested and charged after bringing drugs into the facility.

Kitchen supervisor at Southern Regional Jail arrested after bringing drugs into facility

March 19, 2023

Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

March 19, 2023

Boys State Championships: Fairmont freezes Shady offense en route to second consecutive title

March 18, 2023
Load More

Community Calendar

Recent News

Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

March 19, 2023

GALLERY: Snowy Day in the Railroad Town of Thurmond

March 19, 2023

Dollar Tree can’t afford to sell eggs anymore

March 19, 2023

Lootpress brings you the latest news in Southern West Virginia and around.

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Recent News

Beckley’s own Kamron Lawson wows American Idol judges, passes audition

March 19, 2023

GALLERY: Snowy Day in the Railroad Town of Thurmond

March 19, 2023
  • About
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2023 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National
    • Politics
    • State
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
  • Community Calendar

© 2023 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist