Kamala Harris casts tie-breaking vote to launch discussion about $1.9 trillion COVID-19 invoice

Vice President Kamala Harris arrived to the rescue of Senate Democrats Thursday afternoon by breaking a 50-50 logjam above irrespective of whether to advance President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus legislation.

Harris solid the 51st vote with the Democrats to formally kick off discussion on the Biden administration’s signature legislation to address the ongoing pandemic. 

SCHUMER Organized TO OUTLAST GOP DELAYS Practices TO Move BIDEN’S $1.9T CORONAVIRUS Bill THIS 7 days

But the debate on the monthly bill was quickly scuttled by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who requested the complete 628-website page laws be examine aloud by the Senate clerks in progress of any dialogue on the merits of the proposal.

Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had requested that the studying of the monthly bill be waived, which is customary, but Johnson objected, which kicked off a marathon reading through session by Senate clerks that Johnson had formerly predicted could just take 10 several hours. 

FILE: Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to hold mock swearing-in ceremonies for Senators in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

FILE: Vice President Kamala Harris comes to keep mock swearing-in ceremonies for Senators in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
(AP)

“All I’m attempting to do is make this a extra deliberative process [and] of course shine the gentle on this abusive and obscene amount of cash,” Johnson explained before Thursday of his ask for. 

SENATE GOP BLASTS ‘BLUE Condition BAILOUT’ IN BIDEN’S $1.9T CORONAVIRUS Invoice

Senate Republicans have overwhelmingly turned down Biden’s laws as a liberal want listing that is much too pricey. As a result of the reading through of the invoice and an envisioned marathon session of votes on amendments, Republicans are making an attempt to hold off the passage of legislation and inflict as substantially soreness as probable on Democrats in the process. 

But Schumer Thursday mentioned Democrats will keep as long as it takes to move the evaluate. 

BIDEN BLOCKS $1,400 STIMULUS CHECKS FOR 16M People Following TIGHTENING Earnings ELIGIBILITY

“No issue how lengthy it usually takes, the Senate is likely to continue to be in session to complete the bill – this week,” Schumer said Thursday. “The American men and women ought to have nothing at all fewer.”

Harris may well be required on the Hill again in the coming days if all 50 Senate Republicans are united from the legislation. 

As she departed the Capitol just after her tie-breaking vote, Harris was requested if she would be back. 

“Who is familiar with?” Harris replied with a 50 percent-shrug as she left. 

Simply click Here TO GET THE FOX News Application

Once the Senate staff members have concluded looking at the monthly bill, senators will have 20 hours to discussion the legislation. Then the modification process starts where Republicans are arranging for a marathon “vote-a-rama” to power Democrats to just take politically tough votes on everything from abortion to border security.

Republicans plan to unleash a “maximum force, maximum exposure” strategy as Democrats try to get the bill around the finish line, according to Stephen Bradford, a spokesman for the Senate Republican Meeting.

Fox News’ Kelly Phares contributed to this report.