Biden proposes 1.9-trillion-dollar coronavirus relief bill

US President-elect Joe Biden announced a 1.9-trillion-dollar coronavirus stimulus proposal which includes funding for a national vaccine programme and 1,400 dollar cheques for many Americans.   

“While Congress’s bipartisan action in December was a step in the right direction, it was only a down payment,” Biden’s transition team said in a statement. “We are in a race against time, and absent additional government assistance, the economic and public health crises could worsen in the months ahead; schools will not be able to safely reopen; and vaccinations will remain far too slow.”   

The stimulus proposal comes weeks after the Congress passed a nearly 900-billion-dollar stimulus bill, which boosted unemployment benefits and gave many Americans 600 dollars in relief monies.   

The US economy is seeing signs of slowing recovery with rising unemployment claims and a surging coronavirus pandemic that has overwhelmed some health systems.   

But Biden’s proposal is likely to be met with some Republican opposition since it also includes Democratic policy priorities like a minimum wage hike.   

The plan outlines 160 billion dollars for the vaccine programme, 170 billion dollars towards reopening schools and one trillion dollars towards direct assistance including unemployment benefits among other spending.   

“President-elect Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan is ambitious, but achievable, and will rescue the American economy and start beating the virus,” the Biden transition team said. 
Washington (dpa) 15 January 2021

Biden’s inauguration rehearsal postponed over security concerns: Politico

A rehearsal for U.S President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration scheduled for Sunday has been postponed because of security concerns, Politico reported late on Thursday, citing two people with knowledge of the decision.
The rehearsal is now planned for Monday, according to the report.

Biden’s team had also canceled an Amtrak trip from Wilmington to Washington planned for Monday due to heightened security concerns, the report added. Biden will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.