US Democrats file budget resolution for COVID-19 relief

"Congress has a responsibility to quickly deliver immediate comprehensive relief to the American people hurting from COVID-19," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement on Monday night.

"The cost of inaction is high and growing, and the time for decisive action is now. With this budget resolution, the Democratic Congress is paving the way for the landmark Biden-Harris coronavirus package that will crush the virus and deliver real relief to families and communities in need," the Democratic leaders said.

As Republicans have voiced opposition against Biden's relief proposal, the budget resolution would help Democrats push the relief proposal through the Senate with a simple majority, rather than the 60 votes needed for most legislation, according to local media.

The party breakdown in the Senate is 50-50 now, with Vice President Kamala Harris having the power to cast the tie-breaking vote to give Democrats the majority. Biden on Monday signaled that he would not back down from his demand for the $1.9 trillionrelief package named the 'American Rescue Plan', after a nearly two-hour meeting with a group of 10 Republican senators at the White House.

The package includes over $400 billion to combat the pandemic directly such as more funding for testing and vaccine distribution; roughly $1 trillion in direct relief to households; and over $400 billion for hard-hit small businesses and communities. (IANS)

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