US House passes $3 trillion COVID-19 relief package

Washington : The Democrat-led US House of Representatives has narrowly passed a $3 trillion COVID-19 relief package that is likely to be rejected by the Senate amid near-unanimous Republican opposition and a veto threat from President Donald Trump.

The rescue plan was approved on Friday night by a tight 208-199 margin amid opposition by Republicans as well as some moderate and progressive Democrats, reports Efe news.At least 14 Democrats cross-voted while a Republican lawmaker also crossed party lines to vote in favour of the measure.

However, the future of the aid package remains doubtful since the Republicans have already announced that they will block it in the Senate.The package includes $1 trillion for states and local governments, as well as another round of direct payments of $1,200 to taxpayers with annual incomes less than $75,000.

The measure also includes undocumented immigrants for receiving the coronavirus aid payments.The White House and Republicans, as well as some Democrats, were opposing the package because they consider it costly since it allows states to spend on expenses unrelated to the pandemic.

The critics of the bill have warned that in some cases financial problems of states are related to the pre-pandemic days.If successful, the plan would be the largest in the history of the US. It exceeds the $2.2 trillion aid package approved at the end of March to help struggling Americans and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic.