Senate Voted 50-49 To Move Forward On Coronavirus Relief Bill, With Zero Support From Republicans

On Tuesday, the Senate voted to move forward with debate on the 2021 budget reconciliation, which moves along the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package currently on the table. Not a single Republican voted in favor of the resolution.

According to The Hill, the Senate voted 50-49 to proceed to a budget resolution that allows the coronavirus relief package to be passed through reconciliation and avoids a legislative filibuster. The Senate will now debate for tens of hours before they can hold a final vote.

The House is expected to pass the budget resolution on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden spoke with Senate Democrats, and he urged them to go big on coronavirus relief. 

“President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly. He was very strong in emphasizing the need for a big, bold package. He said that he told Senate Republicans that the $600 billion that they proposed was way too small,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said to reporters after the call.

Republicans had proposed a much leaner relief package, totaling $618 billion. The trimmed-down package included $300 a week in supplemental unemployment benefits through June, $50 billion for small businesses, including an additional $40 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program. It included another round of stimulus checks worth up to $1,000 for Americans earning less than $50,000. Americans earning less than $40,000 would receive the full payment.