U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will speak Friday about the $1.9-trillion COVID-19 relief bill signed into law by the president on Thursday.

The bill received congressional approval on Wednesday with a nearly party line vote of 220-211.

In addition to $1,400 direct payments to most Americans and an extension of emergency unemployment benefits, the legislation includes hundreds of billions for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, schools, state and local governments and ailing industries.

There is also aid for farmers of colour, pension systems and student borrowers and subsidies for consumers buying health insurance and states expanding Medicaid coverage for lower earners.

It addresses Democrats' campaign promises and Biden's top initial priority of easing a one-two punch that first hit the country a year ago, with the coronavirus killing over 525,000 people and dealing a punishing blow to the American economy.

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