'If we don't act now, the future will be very bleak': Biden urges Congress to act as prospects rise for a bipartisan stimulus deal
Associated Press/Andrew Harnik
- While speaking in Delaware on Friday, President-elect Joe Biden highlighted the urgent need behind the bill, saying, "if we don't act now, the future will be very bleak."
- Building upon his calls for a bipartisan package to be passed soon, Biden also urged Congress to consider another federal aid package after Inauguration Day, emphasizing the need to also address "longstanding needs in the economy, like rebuilding infrastructure," according to a New York Times report.
- House Democrats recently came out in favor of a $908 billion coronavirus relief package to end the lame-duck session and get federal aid out to Americans quickly.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
President-elect Joe Biden once again called on Congress to "act now" in passing a coronavirus relief package as prospects are on the rise for a bipartisan stimulus bill.
While speaking in Delaware on Friday, the president-elect highlighted the urgent need behind the bill, saying "if we don't act now, the future will be very bleak."
Building upon his calls for a bipartisan package to be passed soon, Biden also urged Congress to consider another federal aid package after Inauguration Day, emphasizing the need to also address "longstanding needs in the economy, like rebuilding infrastructure," according to a New York Times report.
"To truly end this crisis, Congress is going to need to fund more testing as well as a more equitable and free distribution of the vaccine," Biden said. "We're going to need more economic relief to bridge through 2021 until this pandemic and economic crisis are over."
House Democrats recently came out in favor of a $908 billion coronavirus relief package to end the lame-duck session and get federal aid out to Americans quickly. As reported by Business Insider's Joseph Zeballos-Roig and Kimberly Leonard, the stimulus package will include:
- $300 federal weekly unemployment benefits
- $240 billion in new Paycheck Protection Program assistance for small businesses
- $160 billion in funding for state and local governments
- $51 billion in new healthcare and vaccine-related funds
- A temporary liability shield for businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits
Biden has repeatedly said he would prioritize distributing aid to Americans who bore the economic brunt of the pandemic in his first 100 days in office. The plan, however, does not include another round of $1,200 stimulus checks and any plans to cancel all student loans.
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