Coronavirus: US Senate passes $1.9tn relief plan

The U.S. Senate on Saturday passed President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief bill aimed at helping Americans deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The $1.9tn (£1.4tn) plan was approved in the Senate on Saturday despite every Republican senator voting against.

The House of Representatives – controlled by Mr Biden’s Democrats – is expected to approve the bill next Tuesday.

Mr Biden described the Senate vote as one more giant step forward in delivering the promise to help people.

The plan is one of the largest stimulus bills in U.S. history and gives Biden his first major legislative victory since taking office in January.

The final bill includes $400 billion in one-time payments of $1,400 to many Americans, with a phase-out starting for those with annual incomes above $75,000.

It also includes $300 a week in extended jobless benefits for the 9.5 million people thrown out of work in the crisis.

About $350 billion in aid was also set aside for state and local governments whose budgets have been greatly affected by the pandemic.