US Congress approves $892 bln COVID-19 relief package: report

The US Congress approved, on Dec. 21, an $892 billion coronavirus aid package, throwing a lifeline to the nation’s pandemic-battered economy after months of inaction, while also keeping the federal government funded, Reuters reported. 

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the package into law.

Following days of negotiation, both legislative chambers worked deep into the night to pass the bill, with the House of Representatives first approving it and the Senate following suit several hours later in a bipartisan 92-6 vote.

The virus relief bill includes $600 payments to most Americans as well as additional payments to the millions of people thrown out of work during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a larger round of benefits is due to expire on Saturday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said she supported the virus relief bill even though it did not include the direct aid for state and local governments that Democrats had sought.

She said they would try for it again after Democratic President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20, 2021.