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Photo: JIM WATSON / Getty Images

President Trump signed the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package into law on Friday shortly after the House passed the bill.

Why it matters: What happens in Washington is often lost on the rest of the country. But this rescue package is the largest in American history, has the attention of leaders on both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue and matters to Americans back home.

The big picture: Washington leaders have already begun preliminary talks about a Phase 4 stimulus bill.

  • Economists predict that we're likely to be in this same situation again — and soon, Axios' Dion Rabouin reports. Another stimulus bill may be needed to jumpstart the economy after the virus outbreak has been contained.
  • And more immediately, it's possible that a second massive spending bill will be needed just to stop further bleeding.
  • "This cannot be our final bill," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the floor this afternoon, while other lawmakers referred to it as a "down payment."

What's next: The Senate is now on an extended recess through April 20.

  • Members of the House, some of whom were unable to return to Washington for today's vote given the limited flight options, state-mandated stay-at-home orders and other issues that prevented them from flying back, will also work from their home districts.
  • House and Senate leadership are still determining whether new procedures need to be put in place to allow lawmakers to govern remotely during the pandemic.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Go deeper:

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Updated 3 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Joe Biden elected president, AP projects

Biden in Los Angeles in March. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Associated Press projects Joe Biden has been elected the 46th president of the United States, ousting President Trump after a single term marked by impeachment, constant battles, a disastrous response to the deadly coronavirus pandemic and an unexpectedly close election.

Kamala Harris will join him as the first woman and first person of color to be elected vice president — a historic breakthrough largely overshadowed by the turmoil surrounding the election. Biden is expected to address the nation at 8 pm Eastern.

Updated 24 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Live updates: Biden reaches 270

Expand chart
Data: AP; Note: AP has called Arizona for Biden, but ballots are still being counted and not all organizations have called it yet. Chart: Naema Ahmed, Andrew Witherspoon, Danielle Alberti/Axios

Joe Biden has won the 270 electoral votes he needs to defeat President Trump, according to Associated Press projections, with his win in Pennsylvania putting him over the top.

The latest: The projected Pennsylvania victory — on top of Wisconsin, Michigan and now Nevada — makes Biden the president-elect even as the Trump campaign fights him with lawsuits and recounts.

35 mins ago - Podcasts

Biden wins and what to expect next

This is Axios Special Election 2020 coverage. Joe Biden wins the presidential election, AP projects, after winning Pennsylvania Saturday morning. We talk to Axios reporters Hans Nichols and Jonathan Swan to find out what’s next for both Biden and Donald Trump.