President Joe Biden's relief bill aimed at helping Americans deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has cleared a major hurdle.
The $1.9tn (£1.4tn) plan was approved in the Senate on Saturday despite every Republican senator voting against.
The House of Representatives presided by Mr Biden's Democrats is expected to approve it next Tuesday.
Mr Biden described the Senate vote as "one more giant step forward" in delivering the promise to help people.
America's worst public health crisis in a century has left nearly 523,000 people dead and 29 million infected, with a current unemployment rate of 6.2 per cent.
The relief package, the third in the US since the start of the pandemic envisages one-off payments worth $1,400 to be sent to most Americans.
Mr Biden said such payments could start being distributed later this month.
Republicans say the plan is too costly. Some Democrats have also voiced criticism of certain provisions and the party's leadership was forced to make a number of compromises, notably the lowering of federal unemployment benefit from $400 to $300 a week.
The benefit will be extended until September , under the plan.
"It obviously wasn't easy. It wasn't always pretty. But it was so desperately needed, urgently needed," President Biden said.
He added that he hoped for a quick passage of the bill in the House so that he could sign it into law.
The American Rescue Plan allocates $350bn to state and local governments, and some $130bn to schools.
It would also provide $49bn for expanded Covid-19 testing and research, as well as $14bn for vaccine distribution.
The $1,400 stimulus cheques will be quickly phased out for those with higher incomes at $75,000 for a single person and for couples making more than $150,000.
The extension of jobless benefits until September, meanwhile, would mark a key reprieve for millions of long-term unemployed Americans whose eligibility for benefits is currently due to expire in mid-March.
The bill also includes grants for small businesses as well as more targeted funds: $25bn for restaurants and bars; $15bn for airlines and another $8bn for airports; $30bn for transit; $1.5bn for Amtrak rail and $3bn for aerospace manufacturing.
Latest Stories
-
Alliance with other parties, not a merger – Alan Kyerematen
10 mins -
Ghana’s Mohammed Fuseini scores in Randers 2-2 draw Odense BK
18 mins -
We are behind schedule on flood control programme – Oppong Nkrumah
20 mins -
Jennifer Kankam scores five against Tala’ea El Gaish in ZED FC’s big win in Egyptian league
29 mins -
You won’t start at Hearts of Oak – Charles Taylor tells Erling Haaland
42 mins -
People have lost patriotism, passion for the nation – Sulemana Braimah
60 mins -
You can’t use context of past elections to determine what will happen in December polls- Alan
1 hour -
2024 poll: Don’t vote for Mahama; he has nothing new to offer – Afenyo-Markin
2 hours -
Saglemi Housing Project: Government promises transparency in divestiture
2 hours -
I don’t want to deceive myself as a politician – Alan Kyerematen
2 hours -
We will continue to provide more financing for Ghana despite not reaching agreement with Eurobond holders – IMF
2 hours -
Economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana gradually improving – IMF
3 hours -
Ghana’s inflation to average 11.5% in 2025; policy rate expected to reduce sharply – IMF
3 hours -
Let’s prioritize research quality in higher education institutions for industrial growth-Prof. Nathaniel Boso
10 hours -
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
14 hours