Biden zeroes in on the teetering economy in first week

(CNN)There's lots of talk of all the federal assistance going to Americans and small businesses in need. But while some is already approved, not all of it is out the door yet -- and some of it is still just at the proposal stage.

What's already in many people's bank accounts or on the way is money from the $900 billion relief deal Congress passed in December. It included a new round of stimulus checks, beefed-up unemployment benefits, additional housing and nutrition assistance and money to fight the coronavirus.

President Joe Biden signed executive orders last week that will further augment food benefits, ensure more eligible Americans get their stimulus payments, provide protections for federal workers, and extend housing and student loan payment relief.

But Biden is pushing Congress to pass a $1.9 trillion package with even more funding for those measures -- including $1,400 in additional stimulus cash -- as well as other provisions to help needy Americans. Some Democrats want his package to be even more generous, while Republicans are balking at the increased spending. It's not clear when a deal might get done or what a final version will look like.