AP: President Trump signs $900 billion COVID-19 relief package kctv5.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kctv5.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, speaks to upstate New York media on a Zoom conference call Monday, Dec. 21 before he voted for the $900 billion COVID relief bill. (News photo Andy Flynn)
LAKE PLACID Both New York senators Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, voted Monday, Dec. 21 for the $900 billion pandemic relief package aimed at delivering financial help to citizens and businesses and to help states pay for COVID-19 vaccinations. The Senate cleared the package by a 92-6 vote after the House approved it by another lopsided vote, 359-53, according to The Associated Press.
$26 billion for food, ag in COVID-19 relief package: A mixed holiday blessing agweb.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from agweb.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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New York Senator Chuck Schumer said the most recent stimulus bill is a survival bill, not a long term plan for economic recovery.
“There’s all different kind of dollars. Is it enough? No. And the thing I most regret is (Mitch) McConnell blocked state and local aid. We have found some other ways to get the localities some aid through education, transportation and vaccine distribution (assistance).”
That includes $5 billion to help New York schools, $4 billion for mass transit systems, and $1.3 billion in rental assistance that will all come through local governments. Schumer adds the unemployment insurance extension will help one million New Yorkers who would have seen benefits dry up next week. He says this is less a stimulus plan and more an emergency survival bill.
Congress has reached agreement on a huge combined fiscal year 2021 omnibus appropriations bill and coronavirus aid package that includes various forms of aid to farmers, an increase of 15% in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for six months, and other nutrition assistance.
After Congress passed a 24-hour continuing resolution Sunday to fund the government though midnight tonight, the House is expected to vote on the package today.
It’s not yet clear whether the Senate will vote on the package today or whether Congress will pass a week-long continuing resolution to allow the Senate to vote at a more leisurely pace and send the package to President Donald Trump.