COVID-19 relief, spending bill wins sweeping House approval in lopsided vote
Update 9:55 p.m. ET Dec. 21: House members voted 359-53 Monday night to approve the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package and the accompanying $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill.

The Senate is expected to take up the measure within the hour, but it is not clear how quickly the vote will be conducted.

The votes come as Capitol Hill prepares to close its books on 2020, The Associated Press reported.

The 5,593-page bill combines funds to fight the novel coronavirus with financial relief for individuals and businesses. In addition to direct payments of $600 each t most Americans, it also provides a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a new round of subsidies for “hard-hit businesses, restaurants and theaters” as well as money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction, the AP reported.

“This deal is not everything I want — not by a long shot,” Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, R-Mass., said of the bipartisan compromise nearly 10 months in the making. “The choice before us is simple. It’s about whether we help families or not. It’s about whether we help small businesses and restaurants or not. It’s about whether we boost (food stamp) benefits and strengthen anti-hunger programs or not. And whether we help those dealing with a job loss or not. To me, this is not a tough call.”

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