evidence: By — Kevin Freking, Associated Press Kevin Freking, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/whats-inside-the-1-9-trillion-covid-19-bill-passed-by-congress Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter What’s inside the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill passed by Congress Economy Mar 10, 2021 2:58 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a sweeping pandemic relief package over Republican opposition on Wednesday, sending it to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The milestone political victory would provide $1,400 checks for most Americans and direct billions of dollars to schools, state and local governments, and businesses. Democrats said their "American Rescue Plan" would help the country defeat the virus and nurse the economy back to health. Republicans criticized the $1.9 trillion package as more expensive than necessary and they complain it inflates the national debt and sends money to projects not directly tied to the pandemic. The measure follows five earlier virus bills totaling about $4 trillion that Congress has enacted since last spring. A look at some highlights of the legislation: Aid to the unemployed Expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government would be extended through Sept. 6 at $300 a week.