US Congress passes Democrats’ sweeping $1.9 trillion pandemic recovery bill

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Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. sweeping / ˈswi pɪŋ / (adj) – including or affecting a lot of things or people
    Example:

    The company will be implementing sweeping changes that will affect all departments.


  2. nurse (something/someone) back to health / nɜrs bæk tʊ hɛlθ / (idiom) – to help improve the condition of something or someone through special care or attention
    Example:

    After almost going bankrupt last year, the man was able to nurse his business back to health.


  3. stake (something) on (something) / steɪk ɒn / (phrasal) – to risk losing something upon the failure of another thing
    Example:

    I staked all my savings on the success of my new business.


  4. tackle / ˈtæk əl / (v) – to deal with something difficult
    Example:

    I have no idea how to tackle this problem.


  5. subsidy / ˈsʌb sɪ di / (n) – money granted by the government to help an industry or a business keep the price of a product or service low
    Example:

    The senator wants to increase the subsidy given to farmers to ensure that rice stays affordable.


Article

Read the text below.

The U.S. Congress passed a sweeping bill aimed at battling the coronavirus and nursing a staggered economy back to health, after the House passed the bill in its final form on March 10.


U.S. President Joe Biden is staking his presidency on the idea that the government can use his $1.9 trillion (¥200 trillion) coronavirus relief plan to not only stop a pandemic and jobs crisis but also tackle issues of poverty, inequality and more.


“When I was elected, I said we were going to get the government out of the business of battling on Twitter and back in the business of delivering for the American people,” Biden said after the bill passed the Senate on March 6.


The 628-page bill will provide payments of up to $1,400 (¥152,000) to most Americans. There’s also money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools and the airline industry, tax breaks, and subsidies for health insurance, adding up to one of the largest enhancements to the social safety net in decades. (AP)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The relief bill will provide payments of up to $1,400 to most Americans. How do you feel about governments providing direct payments to people during the pandemic? Why? Discuss.
  • How should governments decide who should get the payments (ex. by income level, by occupation)? Why? Discuss.
  • If you received $1,400 from the government right now, what would you do with the money? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Biden is hoping that the relief bill can tackle issues of poverty and inequality. Do you think your country also has major issues with poverty and inequality? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What else can be done to reduce poverty and inequality (ex. raise the minimum wage, provide better education for all children)? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think it’s possible to ever fully end poverty and inequality? Why or why not? Discuss.