The United States Senate unanimously passed the $2 trillion stimulus package Wednesday night, which will is expected to bring some relief as COVID-19 continues to hold the country hostage.
The bill will provide aid for workers, small businesses and industries impacted in recent weeks by the virus, including health care services, which are already running low on resources.
The bill passed with a 96-0 vote.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants people to know that this is not a stimulus package.
“This is not even a stimulus package,” McConnell said ahead of the vote. “It is emergency relief. Emergency relief. That’s what this is. This is a proud moment for the United States Senate and for the country, and we’re going to win this battle in the very near future.”
According to The Hill, the bill includes a $1,200 one-time check for individuals making $75,000 or less as well as $500 for each child in the home. That amount would scale down until it reached an annual income threshold of $99,000. Anyone making more than $99,000 will not receive anything. The thresholds will be doubled for couples.
Predictions show that as many as 150 million American families will receive a stimulus check.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says that the government is now aiming to get the direct payments issued by April 6.
“Our expectation is within three weeks we will have direct payments out where we have depository information,” Mnuchin said. “We’re looking to get a lot more information and we have procedures to do that.”
