House Approves $1.3T Spending Package With $210B Emergency Money

The House approved on Friday the six-bill bundle spending package worth $1.3 trillion, including around $210 billion for emergency funding of federal agencies in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

The spending bill got a vote of 217-197 in favor of legislation. This fund will cover the government starting October 1.

The departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Homeland Security, Justice, Transportation, and Energy will be covered with the passage of this measure.

Other state and local governments will also be funded in terms of health prevention efforts, medical research, infrastructure, and public housing, among others.

More than half of the package will be allocated for defense, according to a The Hill report. This includes a three percent pay increase for troops, a $9.3 billion for fighter jets, and $22.3 billion for new Navy ships.

The bill would also financially assist the Army with $1 million for renaming assets named after Confederate figures and block the funding for President Donald Trump's border wall.

The legal measure would also block Trump from using military construction funds to build his wall, and refuse to refill the accounts he emptied to fund the wall using emergency powers.

"This package prioritizes the lives and livelihoods of the American people, and makes the strong investments needed to build a stronger future for every person," said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey was quoted in a report.

However, even with the House's passage of the legal measure, Trump has reportedly threatened to veto the bill. The appropriations process is also stalled with Democrats and Republicans arguing whether to include emergency coronavirus cash in their annual spending bills.

The spending package did not include funding for homeland security and the legislative branch. Democrats have discussed several times whether to bring the homeland security bill to the floor during disagreements between the party's more progressive ranks.

Reports said progressives want to remove funding from agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Republicans have attacked House Democrats for loading up their spending package with billions of dollars in emergency spending. Republicans said the extra cash blows up a two-year budget deal struck last summer.

The legislative branch was not present during the disagreements on congressional play.

The GOP opposed the bills on two bases, which is spending and policy riders.

"I remain concerned about the use of emergency-designated funds as a workaround and scheme to break the budget agreement between the two parties and the president," Tom Cole, Appropriations Committee vice ranking member, was quoted in a report.

Stimulus Check

Meanwhile, another $1, 200 stimulus check is coming to help people offset the worst financial effects of the coronavirus disease.

Republican and Democratic leaders are still trying to decide what should be included in the latest measure to boost the economy during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes the possibility of another round of economic payment, also known as stimulus checks.

Stimulus checks are being provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act based on adjusted gross income and how many dependents are living in a household.

Congress is considering a second stimulus check. But it is still to be known, who will qualify for another round of stimulus checks, and how much could be received.

Check these out:

Is a 2nd Stimulus Check Far from Reality? Senate Bares Update

Republicans Finally Reveal the Amount of Next Stimulus

HEALS Act Includes More Benefits Beyond Another Stimulus Payment