Stimulus payments cleared another hurdle as a House committee approved $1,400 checks along party lines
- A House committee approved Biden's proposal for $1,400 stimulus checks with a party-line vote.
- Different committees are working on various elements of Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package.
- The package could receive a full vote in the House during the week of February 22.
The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday approved some measures in President Joe Biden's stimulus package, including $1,400 direct payments to Americans.
In total, the committee approved $593.5 billion in benefits with a vote along party lines, Bloomberg reported.
Biden's $1.9 trillion rescue package also includes $400 weekly federal unemployment benefits, an increased child tax credit, and aid to local and state governments.
"The $600 rebates that Congress delivered in December didn't do enough," Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene said during committee discussions on Thursday, according to Bloomberg. "This is critical relief to help families weather this crisis."
Under Biden's plan, individuals making up to $75,000 and couples making up to $150,000 would get $1,400 checks. The payments have been a controversial part of Biden's package, as Republicans and some Democrats have opposed them.
Democrats had floated a plan to issue the payments to individuals earning $50,000 or less, but that was met with opposition by progressives including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
On Tuesday, Biden indicated that he supported keeping the income threshold at $75,000.
House Democrats on Monday introduced legislation with Biden's original thresholds, Insider reported. But that legislation would restrict the amount for higher earners, phasing out direct payments for individuals making more than $100,000 and couples making more than $200,000.
Different House committees are working on aspects of the stimulus package, so it's possible that other parts of the plan will change before it's brought to a vote. The chamber is expected to vote on the whole package during the week of February 22.
The House Ways and Means Committee also on Thursday approved advanced child tax credits and tax credits for low-income workers.