Biden signs $1.9 trillion COVID bill into law

The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives gave final congressional approval to the measure on Wednesday, handing Biden a major victory in the early months of his presidency.

Biden's signing of the legislation, called the American Rescue Plan, had initially been scheduled for Friday, but White House chief of staff Ron Klain said it was moved up after it arrived at the White House on Wednesday night.

The package provides $400 billion for $1,400 direct payments to most Americans, $350 billion in aid to state and local governments, an expansion of the child tax credit and increased funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.