US Congress passes $900 billion COVID relief package

The US Senate cleared a $900 relief bill as an emergency economic measure amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate passed the bill a couple of hours after the US House passed the stimulus package after a long day of deliberations and negotiations.

The bill will now be sent to President Donald Trump, who needs to sign it for it to take effect.

As the COVID-19 death count rises amid a massive resurgence of the virus that again threatens the economy, Republican and Democratic legislators finally agreed upon a plan late Monday after months of wrangling and bitter debate over what to include.

The package will benefit small businesses and will also provide rental assistance and help to families, who are facing eviction. The deal will spare millions of jobless workers who were days away from seeing their unemployment benefits expire, and provide a new round of cash payouts.