Biden and Democrats prevail as US senate approves Covid relief bill

Senators vote on final passage of the US senate version of the Covid-19 relief bill (Senate TV/AP)

An exhausted US senate has narrowly approved a 1.9 trillion dollar (£1.37 trillion) Covid-19 relief bill as President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies notched a victory which they say is crucial for hoisting America out of the twin crises of the pandemic and a faltering economy.

After labouring through the night on a mountain of amendments – nearly all from Republicans, all of which were rejected – senators approved the sprawling package on a 50-49 vote along party lines.