US House passes $900 bln COVID-19 relief package

WASHINGTON - US House of Representatives passed a $900-billion COVID-19 relief package late Monday, sending the bill to the Senate, which is expected to approve it shortly after.

The long-delayed relief package was approved by the lower chamber along with $1.4-trillion government funding for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends on Sept 30, 2021.

The vote came after Democratic and Republican lawmakers reached a deal on coronavirus aid on Sunday, following months of deadlock over the size and scope of the relief package.

The $900-billion relief plan includes another round of direct payments for individuals, federal unemployment benefits, and more funding for Paycheck Protection Program to support small businesses. It also features hundreds of billions more for schools, testing and the distribution of vaccines.