Highlights of the COVID-19 Relief Bill Advancing in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is expected to pass a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package late Friday that includes $1,400 checks for most Americans and billions of dollars for schools, state and local governments and businesses.

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Republicans say the spending is vastly more than what is needed for the pandemic.

But Democrats and President Joe Biden say a robust aid package is necessary to prevent a long and painful economic recovery.

Their goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by mid-March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires.