Coronavirus: Joe Biden signs US$1.9 trillion stimulus bill ahead of prime-time speech
- The signing of the massive American Rescue Plan was brought forward from Friday, as the US prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of its pandemic lockdown
- Package includes US$1,400 relief cheques for individuals, US$350 billion in aid to state and local governments, and increased funding for vaccine distribution
President Joe Biden signed his US$1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law on Thursday afternoon, ahead of an evening speech in which he is set to mark the one-year anniversary of the US coronavirus pandemic lockdown, commemorating losses while expressing hope for the future.
Biden’s signing of the legislation, called the American Rescue Plan, had initially been scheduled for Friday. The Democratic-led US House of Representatives gave final congressional approval to the measure on Wednesday, handing Biden a major victory in the early months of his presidency.
The package provides US$400 billion for US$1,400 direct payments to most Americans, US$350 billion in aid to state and local governments, an expansion of the child tax credit and increased funding for Covid-19 vaccine distribution.
The Democratic president, who campaigned on a promise to curb the pandemic more effectively than his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, has told Americans since his January inauguration that more deaths and pain were coming from Covid-19.
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But with the vaccinated population slowly increasing, Biden is conveying fresh hope even as he urges people to continue to be cautious to prevent further flare-ups.