The Senate on Wednesday handed a GOP-led decision that might finish the nationwide COVID-19 emergency that has been in place since 2020.
The measure handed the higher home 68-23.
An identical decision sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) handed the Senate final yr however didn’t advance within the Democratic-controlled Home of Representatives. This yr the Home handed 229-197, with 11 Democrats becoming a member of all of the Republicans.
President Biden threatened final yr to veto the measure. This yr, he didn’t threaten a veto, however issued an announcement of administration ideas earlier than the Home vote objecting to the decision.
On Wednesday, nevertheless, he mentioned he would signal the measure.
“The president strongly opposes HJ Res 7, and the administration plans to finish the COVID nationwide emergency and public well being emergency on Could 11. Nevertheless, if this invoice reaches his desk, he’ll signal it and the administration will proceed to work. with businesses to finish the nationwide emergency with as a lot discover as potential to the Individuals who is likely to be affected,” a White Home official mentioned.
The nationwide emergency is totally different from the general public well being emergency, though the White Home will finish each on Could 11. Below federal regulation, Congress has the facility to name for periodic votes to finish a nationwide emergency.
President Biden used the powers underneath the nationwide emergency declaration as the premise for his pupil mortgage forgiveness plan, which is presently tied up within the courts.
The preliminary declaration allowed the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) to mobilize personnel to help state and native businesses as they labored to fight the virus. The transfer additionally allowed FEMA entry to billions of {dollars}.
Ending the nationwide emergency early may additionally finish a number of the flexibility that COBRA has been capable of train.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.