Congress took its first major steps Tuesday toward passing Democrats’ $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.

The Senate voted in a 50-49 party line vote to advance a budget resolution, which sets the reconciliation process in motion. The House followed suit, pushing a budget measure forward in a 216-210 vote Tuesday night.

Once passed in both chambers, it will allow Democrats to approve rescue legislation without any Republican support.

Democrats have contended they need to inject more money into the health and economic response as soon as possible. While a handful of Republicans hope to strike a smaller deal after meeting with President Joe Biden on Monday, they face a challenge in finding a middle ground between Democrats’ plan and the GOP’s $618 billion offer.

“Time is a luxury our country does not have,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said earlier Tuesday in announcing a …continued .
[Source: CNBC News]