FRANCES McDORMAND
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WASHINGTON: The US Senate, divided down the middle over the $US1.9 trillion ($2.5 trillion) COVID rescue package, finally began debating the sweeping bill on Friday – but there are multiple hurdles ahead as President Joe Biden seeks to push his top legislative priority through Congress.
Republicans already appeared united in opposing the proposal over its high cost, and senators braced for marathon days that will include up to 20 hours of debate and a lengthy list of amendments that will force contentious votes before the bill’s final passage.
Mr Biden (pictured) is determined to implement its key elements, including direct cheques of up to $US1400 for most Americans, funding for vaccines, expanded unemployment benefits, resources to help open schools quickly, and money for hard-hit businesses.
With the chamber deadlocked 50-50 along party lines, Vice-President Kamala Harris broke the tie to allow debate to begin.
The process immediately hit a snag when Republican senator Ron Johnson demanded the entire coronavirus package be read aloud on the floor – a procedure that is almost always dispensed with.
The version which passed the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives last week was 630 pages long, and the reading is estimated to take about 10 hours.
After the debate, Republicans will then introduce multiple amendments to the bill in a process known as a “vote-arama,” in which senators can propose unlimited numbers of amendments.
One big question is whether Democrats can stick together on such a massive bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed confidence that they will, and insisted Democrats were “delighted” about Senator Johnson’s stunt.
“If the senator from Wisconsin wants to read it, let everybody listen because it has overwhelming support” with the American public, Senator Schumer told the chamber.