Getting through the $ 1.9 trillion aid package is one of President Joe Biden's top priorities for stimulating the US economy, which has been hit hard by the corona pandemic.
This includes, among other things, $ 1,400 in direct payments to private individuals.
But since the Democrats have a minimal majority in the Senate, it is important to get all the representatives with them.
This is where Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia comes into the picture.
Manchin is a relatively conservative Democrat and has been critical of several parts of the proposed economic stimulus measures.
This includes the level of compensation for the unemployed, which according to the original proposal would be $ 400 a week.
Negotiated for nine hours
Manchin felt that the amount was too high and that it would risk making people less likely to start working again.
On Friday, the Senate negotiated the proposal.
But the West Virginia senator was initially initially dissatisfied and threatened to vote for the Republicans' proposal instead, reports the news agency AP.
After nine hours of discussions, however, Manchin announced that he and the party had agreed on a compromise.
It means, among other things, that the unemployment benefit is reduced to $ 300 per month.
Another success for Manchin is a letter on tax deductions for people receiving unemployment benefits, which according to the compromise now only applies to households earning less than $ 150,000 a year.
Now the Senate will vote on the stimulus package.
If it goes through as expected, next week it's time for the House of Representatives to have its say.
If it gets the green light in both chambers, it is then time for President Biden to finally sign and thus make the proposal a law.