WASHINGTON, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Following a Senate approval earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a 2-trillion-U.S.-dollar COVID-19 stimulus package by voice vote, sending it to President Donald Trump for signature.
After a four-hour debate on the Capitol Hill, the lower chamber approved the bill Friday afternoon in a voice vote, which is the fastest way to vote. The presiding officer asked for lawmakers present to simply call out "aye" or "nay" in support or opposition of a bill, and announced "the ayes have it."
"Members of Congress are coming together" following the passage of the bipartisan bill, "a families & workers-first relief package," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, tweeted shortly after the vote. "With my signature, this legislation heads to the President's desk."
On Wednesday night, the Senate passed the bill in a 96-0 vote, well above the 60-vote threshold, following rounds of strenuous negotiations between Democrats and Republicans.
Calling it an "emergency relief," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said earlier that the package will "help the people of this country weather this storm."
The bill, aimed at cushioning the economy from COVID-19 ravages, will provide small businesses emergency loans, business tax breaks, expanded unemployment benefits, 1,000-dollar-plus direct payments for working Americans, government aid for industries such as airlines and hotels, as well as more support for hospitals and state and local governments.
