Senate Democrats delay introduction of Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill
The U.S. Senate delayed the start of debate on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill until at least Thursday after reaching a deal to phase out $1,400 payments to higher-income Americans in a compromise with moderate Democratic senators.
The Democratic-controlled Senate is hoping for a final vote later in the week on passage of Biden’s top legislative priority. Before the bill hits the chamber floor, Democrats are negotiating limits to a measure Republicans have attacked as wasteful.
The Senate will reconvene at noon (1700 GMT) on Thursday, said Senator Dick Durbin, the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat. The House of Representatives canceled its Thursday session after the Capitol Police warned of a possible attack on the building by a militia group.
Senate officials did not respond to questions about whether their security plans would change.
Biden agrees to limit number of people who will get checks in Covid relief plan
President Joe Biden has backed a plan to cut the income caps for Americans to receive a direct payment as part of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package set to pass in the coming days, a Democratic source said Wednesday.
The phase-out levels for the $1,400 stimulus checks are:
· $75,000 in income for single filers; the cap for receiving some payment is now $80,000
· $112,500 for heads of households; the cap is now $120,000
· $150,000 for joint filers; now capped at $160,000
The structure would slash the direct payment income caps approved by the House. Under the lower chamber’s bill, individuals making up to $100,000 (and joint filers earning up to $200,000) would have received some amount.
Reference: Reuters, CNBC
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