United States President Joe Biden signed on Thursday the $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill dubbed the American Rescue Package after it was approved by Congress earlier this week.
“I believe this historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country,” Biden said as he prepared to sign the package.
The final bill includes $1,400 direct stimulus checks to Americans, extended unemployment benefits of $300 per week, as well as $350 billion in funding for state and local governments. A further $49 billion for the expansion of COVID-19 testing and research and $14 billion for vaccine distribution are also in the relief package.