Axios: “The Senate on Thursday voted 51-50 – with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie – to proceed to debate on President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package, likely setting up a final vote this weekend. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) forced Senate clerks to read the entire 628-page bill on the floor, which took nearly 11 hours and lasted until 2:04 a.m. on Friday.”
“The Senate is set to return at 9 a.m. to debate the bill before considering amendments, which could drag into the weekend. Republicans are expected to propose a number of amendments – some unrelated to COVID relief – intended to force uncomfortable votes for Democrats, in a practice known as vote-a-rama. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) promised Thursday that the Senate will stay in session ‘no matter how long it takes’ to finish voting on the ‘American Rescue Plan.’ Because the bill is being considered under the budget reconciliation process, it only requires a simple majority to pass, rather than the usual 60-vote Senate threshold for major legislation. Speaking on the Senate floor ahead of the vote to proceed, Schumer accused Johnson of going to ‘ridiculous lengths’ to show his opposition to a COVID relief package widely supported by the American public – including a majority of Republicans.”