The Senate has recently passed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package on Friday, February 27. After a 15-hour voting session that stretched overnight, Vice President Kamala Harris arrived early in the morning to the Senate dais, where she cast her first tie-breaking vote. 

According to the New York Times, in the marathon session, Senate Democrats maneuvered through a series of politically tricky amendments that Republicans sought to attach to their budget plan. They also endorse several ideas that could drive negotiations on Mr. Biden’s stimulus measure, embracing a proposal to exclude high earners from direct payments of up to $1,400. 

This resolution will go next to the House, where Democrats do not require Republican support to approve it, for a final vote expected later on Friday. While the measure does not have the force of law, the action paves the way for the next step in the budget reconciliation process, which ultimately would allow Democrats to advance Mr. Biden’s plan without Republican votes. 

According to CNN, the package advanced by House Democrats also includes direct aid to small businesses. It had been expected to pass on a party-line vote as House Republicans urged their members to vote against the package and workers to limit defections. Republicans have argued that the legislation overreaches and serves as a liberal wish list of agenda items and complains that they have been locked out of the process for crafting the measure.

The process by lawmakers and government officials of crafting Biden’s relief bill can now begin in earnest. Biden is still seeking bipartisan backing for the package meant to address the economic effects of the coronavirus. Business Insider reports that Democrats are aiming to push through the bill by March 14, when special unemployment benefits expire unless Congress acts to renew them.