The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package has now been signed by President Joe Biden, and $1,400 relief checks could go out as soon as this weekend, CNBC reported Thursday (March 11).
The signature from Biden marks the first item on his list of priorities since taking office. He also planned a prime-time address for Thursday night.
Aside from the direct deposits of $1,400 for individuals, the bill also comes with an extra $300 unemployment aid boost until September, as well as a new child tax credit. In addition, the bill includes close to $20 billion for COVID vaccines, $25 billion for rental and utility assistance and $350 billion for state, local and tribal relief.
Democrats were able to pass the bill with zero Republican votes. Republicans criticized the measure as being unnecessarily expensive for a time while vaccinations are speeding up and some kind of normalcy is on the horizon, while Democrats have defended the bill as necessary for keeping up the recovery that has already started.
The “first wave” of checks are set to go out as early as this weekend, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, CNBC reported. Psaki added that payments to every eligible American will continue through the next few weeks.
The bill enjoys support from a majority of Americans.
In his speech, Biden “plans to provide a clear outline of his approach, level with the American people about what is required of them, but also provide a sense of hope of what is possible,” Psaki said, per CNBC.
The $1.9 trillion relief bill — which is one of the biggest efforts in U.S. history — has been making its way through Congress, first being passed by the House, then the Senate and then the House a second and final time, before it was sent to Biden’s desk. Biden was initially planning to sign the bill Friday, but pushed that up to Thursday.
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