Congressional roll call
Here’s how area members of Congress voted on major issues in the legislative week ending Dec. 24.
House $900B FOR COVID-19
RELIEF: Voting 359-53, the House on Dec. 21 approved a $900billion COVID-19relief package that would start delivering benefits immediately.
The measure (HR 133) includes onetime payments of $600to those with incomes under $75,000and of $1,200to couples earning less than $150,000; $300per week through March 14in added jobless benefits for laid-off employees, as well as “gig economy” workers and the self-employed; $284billion in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for businesses with fewer than 300workers that retain or reinstate employees; an expansion of PPP to include newspapers, radio and TV broadcasters, religious institutions and nonprofits; $82billion for K-12and post-secondary education with a focus on making classrooms COVID-free; tax credits for employers granting paid sick leave; and expanded earned-income and child tax credits for low-income families impacted by the pandemic. In addition, the bill would put an end to surprise billing for emergency and outof-network medical care. The bill was sent to the Senate after being joined with a $1.4 trillion measure to fund the government through September.
A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.
Antonio Delgado, DRhinebeck: Yes
Sean Maloney, D-Cold
Spring: Yes Senate
SENDING COVID BILL TO TRUMP: Voting 92-6, the Senate on Dec. 21gave final congressional approval to a bill (HR 133, above) that would provide $900 billion in coronavirus relief along with $1.4 trillion in government-wide appropriations for fiscal 2021. In addition to outlays noted above, the bill would provide $29billion for purchasing and distributing vaccines; $25billion in emergency rental aid, plus a moratorium on evictions through January; $22 billion to help states address COVID-19; $20billion targeted to Main Street businesses; $16billion for airlines and $14billion for mass transit, plus a few billion for Amtrak and inner-city bus service; $15 billion for cultural venues and movie theaters; $13 billion for food stamps and nutrition programs to sustain hungry children; $13billion for farmers and ranchers; $10billion to keep child-care centers open; and $1.3 billion in forgiveness of federal loans for infrastructure repairs at historically Black colleges and universities.
The bill also would expand Pell Grants for low-income college students and, for the first time, qualify those in prison for Pell grants to pay tuition costs.
A yes vote was to send the bill to President Trump.
Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.:
Yes
Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.:
Yes
Coming up
Congress this week is to vote to override President Trump’s veto of the fiscal 2021military budget.