Sen. Angus King says the coronavirus has ‘devastated’ the country and inaction was too costly, while Sen. Susan Collins criticizes Democrats for not embracing her much smaller alternative plan.
Politics
Political news and information from the Sun Journal.
Posted inNation / World, Politics
Biden, Democrats prevail as Senate OKs $1.9 trillion virus relief bill
The huge measure – its total spending is nearly one-tenth the size of the entire U.S. economy – is Biden’s biggest early priority.
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What’s in the Senate’s $1.9 trillion COVID bill? Checks, unemployment insurance and more.
The Senate’s version is slightly different from the House bill, and some key provisions remained in flux Friday night.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Deal on state tax exemption implodes as Republicans balk at supplemental budget
Democrats support a bill to reduce tax liability for businesses and individuals who received federal COVID-19 relief loans or benefits, but Republicans are pushing for more.
Posted inNation / World, Politics
Senate Democrats strike deal on jobless aid; passage of relief bill in sight
Democratic leaders’ agreement with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., suggests it is just a matter of time until the Senate passes the $1.9 trillion package.
Posted inNation / World, News, Politics
By slimmest of margins, Senate votes to take up $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill
The Senate’s 51-50 vote to start debating the package, with Vice President Kamala Harris pushing Democrats over the top, underscores how they are navigating the package through Congress with virtually no margin for error.
Posted inBusiness, Nation / World, Politics
White House says relief checks will go to most people who got $600 payments
A White House official says 98% of U.S. households that received COVID-19 relief checks in December will also qualify for the next round of payments.
Posted inNation / World, News, Politics
Democrats tighten relief benefits, firm up support for pandemic relief bill
Under Wednesday’s agreement, the Senate bill would halt stimulus checks completely for individuals making $80,000 or more and couples earning $160,000.
Posted inNation / World, News, Politics
House passes sweeping voting rights bill over Republican opposition
The bill would require states to automatically register eligible voters and offer same-day registration, but it faces big obstacles in the Senate.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Legislative panel votes to keep Maine’s ban on plastic shopping bags
Enforcement of the law has been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.