Thread by @businessinsider

The Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan faces GOP opposition — but the president isn’t backing down.

Here’s what determines how much economic aid Americans will receive in the coming months:

Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan generated confusion and criticism. Some expected Biden to provide $2,000 direct payments on top of the $600 included in the last stimulus package.

businessinsider.com/biden-covid-19…

Republicans, on the other hand, are concerned about growing government debt. The budget deficit swelled throughout President Donald Trump's term as Republicans enacted large tax cuts and spending increases.

businessinsider.com/senate-gop-cri…

Democrats could pass Biden’s stimulus plan without Republican support. Using budget reconciliation, Senate Democrats could pass the relief proposal with only 51 votes instead of a 60-vote supermajority required for most legislation. businessinsider.com/democrats-bide…

President Trump’s impeachment trial, which begins on February 9, could delay a quick passage of Biden’s rescue package.

A former GOP aide said it’s "really hard" for the Senate to balance impeachment and other legislative business. businessinsider.com/trump-impeachm…

Over 50 progressive Democrats have urged President Joe Biden to consider sending recurring stimulus checks to Americans.

businessinsider.com/progressives-d…

Aside from direct-payment checks, a core part of Biden’s relief plan includes a $15 federal minimum wage. This could be life-changing for many workers:

https://twitter.com/thisisinsider/status/1353801938547032064

Republicans have long opposed a $15 minimum wage. In his relief plan, Biden did not lay out a timetable for how quickly the wage bump would be phased in.

The federal minimum wage has not been increased from $7.25 in over a decade. businessinsider.com/biden-stimulus…

.@PoliticsInsider is tracking the economic relief rollout. For a rundown of the stories defining today’s political landscape, check out their newsletter: businessinsider.com/10-things-in-p…