WASHINGTON, DC (WSAU) — As expected Wisconsin’s US Senators were split on the vote for the $1.9 trillion American Rescue act.
Democrat Tammy Baldwin praised the bill in a prepared statement, saying “We have not beaten this pandemic and people are still struggling in Wisconsin. I have supported taking bold legislative action to provide help to Wisconsin families, schools, workers, and small businesses and now we are providing that help,” Baldwin said in a written statement. “The American Rescue Plan is the support Wisconsin needs right now to help us get past this public health crisis and move our economy forward.”
Meanwhile, Republican Ron Johnson questioned some of the spending in the bill, calling it a “Massive debt burden that mortgages our children’s future.
“I support helping people truly affected by the pandemic, but we should have targeted the unspent $1 trillion from previous bills first. The economy is already in a strong recovery, and this bill could spark harmful inflation. It was unneeded and unwise,” he added.
The bill extends federal unemployment benefits of $300 per week through Labor Day and issues Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) of up to $1400 to those who meet certain income qualifications.
The package must now get approval from the House, which is expected to vote on it on Tuesday. Democrats would like the bill signed into law before March 14th, which is when the latest round of unemployment benefits is set to expire.
The more than 24-hour vote-a-rama ended with a final tally of 50-49, meaning Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote was not needed. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska was not present for the vote, as he was called back to his home state for a family emergency.
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