Wilmington, Del: President-elect Joe Biden has revealed his plans for economic relief from the coronavirus crisis on Thursday, citing the need for a more robust vaccination plan as well as for additional direct payments to American families to help revive the economy.
The $1.9 trillion package includes $1,400 direct stimulus checks, $160 billion for a national vaccine program, including $20 billion for distribution, and $50 billion for expanded testing. The plan also calls on Congress to invest $170 billion in K-12 schools and higher education, including $130 billion for schools to safely reopen. The package also includes $350 billion in emergency funding for state and local governments.
Meanwhile, massive security arrangements are being made for Biden-Kamala Harris inauguration on January 20 in the wake of the January 6 Capitol violence. Federal prosecutors have revealed that the intention of the rioters was “to capture and assassinate elected officials,” a claim walked back by another security agency later. Now, up to 25,000 National Guards will be stationed around the Capitol and Washington DC leading up to the inauguration to prevent any untoward incident.
Biden still insists that he will take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol building, but the event has been further scaled down after it was trimmed in view of the pandemic.
