Democrats face unity test on Biden’s $1.9T bill

House Democrats will face their biggest test of unity yet this week as they prepare to get President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package closer to the finish line this week.

With no Republicans expected to cross party lines to support the package, Democrats have little room for error to ensure it satisfies the centrist and progressive wings of the caucus that make up their razor-thin majorities while delivering on Biden’s top legislative priority.

The House Budget Committee is meeting on Monday to formally consolidate the entire wide-ranging package that includes a third round of stimulus checks of up to $1,400 for individuals, a minimum wage increase, $130 billion to help K-12 schools reopen for in-person learning and renewed unemployment insurance benefits before they expire in mid-March.