WASHINGTON – House Democrats released the largest piece of their coronavirus relief bill Monday afternoon, offering a measure that would allow them to extend unemployment insurance payments by $ 400 a week until May 29. August and send $ 1,400 per person to most households without lowering income rounds from previous rounds.
Democrats have debated whether to reduce those income levels, but the version aimed at a vote on the Forms and Means Committee this week gives full amounts to people with incomes of up to $ 75,000 and married couples with incomes up at $ 150,000. The legislation also expands the tax credit for children, expands child care assistance, and strengthens tax credits for health insurance.
It will be combined with pieces advancing through other House committees with the aim of going through the plenary later this month. Together, the measures make up President Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion aid plan, which Democrats are trying to push through Congress quickly.
“Our nation is fighting, the virus is not yet contained, and the American people are counting on Congress to fulfill this moment with bold and immediate action,” said Rep. Richard Neal (D., Mass.), President of whose committee will begin considering the bill on Wednesday.
Other sections of the relief plan will provide $ 130 billion in funding for K-12 schools, $ 40 billion for colleges and universities, and $ 39 billion for child care providers. Biden has also proposed providing funds for vaccine distribution, unemployment programs and state and local governments, among other measures.