The United States Congress on Monday approved a $ 900 billion support plan to help American families and businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
After its approval by the House of Representatives and then by the Senate, the plan can now be submitted to President Donald Trump for signature.
Read also: The United States has a new aid plan of 900 billion
"
It is an emergency and survival program,
" said Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday before the vote.
Aid is incomplete and the Biden administration will have to "
fill in the gaps
" in January, he added.
However, "
we should not underestimate the importance of this package
" of measures, he noted, "
the second most important in the history
" of the United States.
A "shutdown" is not excluded
After months of blockage, Democrats and Republicans announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement in principle on a package of measures including, in particular, checks to the most vulnerable families, aid to small businesses and schools, additional unemployment benefits of 300 dollars per week or an envelope for the equitable distribution of vaccines against Covid-19.
US parliamentarians had to finalize this agreement and approve it on Monday when the specter of a government shutdown is not excluded.
Indeed, Congress has decided to extend by 24 hours, until Monday midnight, the short-term law allowing the financing of federal administrations.
Parliamentarians must therefore also find a consensus on the new finance law.
