US Senate Approves Joe Biden's COVID-19 Assistance Plan, Residents Will Receive IDR 20 Million Aid Per Person

United States President Joe Biden (Twitter / @ JoeBiden)

JAKARTA - After a long and tiring trial for 12 hours, the United States Senate approved COVID-19 aid and economic recovery of US $ 1.9 trillion or around Rp.27,335 trillion proposed by President Joe Biden's Administration on Saturday March 6 local time.

The agreement was seen as a victory by both Democrats and President Biden after Republicans tried to interrupt and push for a number of amendments that hindered the vote.

The plan was passed in a 50-49 vote with the support of every Democrat, but there are no Republicans in the US Senate. It is one of the largest stimulus bills in US history and gives Biden his first major legislative victory since taking office in January.

Following the ratification, President Joe Biden said Saturday evening he expects passage of a revised bill by the House of Representatives, so he can sign it and start sending $ 1,400 in direct payments to every US citizen.

"This plan will provide checks starting this month to the American people, who are in dire need of assistance," Biden said at the White House after the vote.

In total the US Government should budget 400 billion US dollars to provide 1,400 US dollars in aid to its citizens.

The US $ 1.9 trillion aid package also includes unemployment benefits of US $ 300 per week, for the 9.5 million US citizens fired during the crisis. This is an extension program, after the previous program will end on March 15.

In addition, some $ 350 billion in aid is being set aside for state and local governments that have seen the pandemic bore into their budgets.

"By passing this plan, we will prove that this government, this democracy, can still work. It must be done. That will improve people's lives, ”said United States President Joe Biden.