Congress prepares to vote on $900B relief package.
Congress prepares to vote on $900B relief package
WASHINGTON — After months of stalled negotiations, Congress reached a deal for a new coronavirus rescue package Sunday, amid a surging pandemic and threat of a federal government shutdown.
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are expected to vote on the bill Monday.
“While $900 billion in COVID-19 relief is not enough, this package will help a lot of people in Connecticut and across the country,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. “This new funding will help small businesses keep their doors open. It will help our schools operate safely. It will help those who have lost their jobs. And it will help make sure that we’re able to distribute the vaccine as quickly as possible to people in our state.”
For struggling Americans, it will boost unemployment benefits with an extra $300 federal payment. The bill will also send $600 direct checks to individuals making up to $75,000 a year and an additional $600 per dependent child. The legislation also sets up a federally funded rental assistance program.
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, said the legislation will make employers continue mandatory paid leave and increase food stamp benefits.
Hard-hit small businesses will be able to apply for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans and the legislation broadens the forgivable uses of previously obtained loans. Farmers will be eligible for more separate aid and performing arts venues will have their own pot of relief money.
Also in the legislation, schools will receive $82 billion in new relief funds and child care providers will be eligible for $10 billion in grants.
The bill also includes $69 billion to support states' vaccine distribution efforts, to procure more doses and support health care providers.
“I really hope we vaccinate faster than anticipated,” U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, said. “That [$69 billion] will really help us move that vaccine so I was happy about that.”
As state and local governments face tax revenue declines, the final deal does not include direct aid to them, but will allocate more money to reimburse them for coronavirus-related expenses. Democrats pushed for direct aid to be included but agreed to drop the measure amid Republican opposition to get the bill over the finish line. Likewise, Republicans ditched the liability protections for businesses they sought.
The bill contains language to protect individuals from surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers. It also includes money for Amtrak, airports and other mass transit.
The combined coronavirus and appropriations bill also includes funding for a new federal courthouse in Hartford and money to clean up Long Island Sound, Murphy said.
The House is expected to vote on the package on Monday night, with the Senate to follow. The bill will be paired with omnibus legislation to fund the federal government for another year. Congress has recently passed multiple temporary measures to avoid a government shut down while negotiations continued.
The coronavirus package is roughly half the size of the last major pandemic relief package Congress passed in April.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called the bill “a bridge to a more robust program — a down payment.” Democrats have promised to pursue a larger relief measure once President-elect Joe Biden takes office.