Sen. Bernie Sanders' last-ditch effort to restore a minimum-wage hike to the pandemic-relief bill fell short. Senate Democrats separately were working to resolve differences over supplemental jobless benefits to be included. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged the Senate will “power through” the arduous final process of getting President Joe Biden’s first signature piece of legislation passed.
Most Senate Democrats agreed on $300-a-week in supplemental jobless benefits, less than the $400 approved by the House, according to a Democratic aide. The bonus will last longer, however, until Oct. 4 rather than the end of August, and much of the help won’t be taxable, the aide said.
The Senate began debate on the bill Friday, ahead of the amendment-proposal stage known as the vote-a-rama. Republicans are planning a number of measures almost certain to fail but serving as a messaging device for their opposition to much of the package.
Democratic leaders want final passage by March 14, when current supplemental jobless benefits expire.
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