$2 trillion stimulus includes billions for state

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law the largest economic stimulus package in U.S. history, a $2.2 trillion bill intended to lift the nation in the grips of the coronavirus epidemic.

The bipartisan legislation was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, after one Republican lawmaker threatened to derail the vote.

Approved by the Senate late Wednesday night, the stimulus will send $1,200 in direct cash assistance to most Americans in the next few weeks. It also expands unemployment benefits, gives hospitals and health centers over $150 billion for medical supplies, gives forgivable loans and tax credits to small businesses and billions in industrial relief to airlines and other large corporations.

“We face an economic crisis unlike anything we as a country have ever experienced,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-4. “This wide-ranging economic rescue package provides rapid relief for individuals, businesses and those responding to the pandemic on the ground.”

The state of Connecticut will receive $1.38 billion in direct state aid under the bill, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.

Over 200 House members returned to Washington, D.C., from their districts around the country to be present for the

vote on Friday, after the objections of one member, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., raised the possibility of a roll call vote on the bill.

Calling for him to be booted out of the Republican Party, Trump slammed Massie on Twitter Friday morning.

“Looks like a third rate Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress,” Trump wrote. “He just wants the publicity. He can’t stop it, only delay, which is both dangerous..”

Early Friday afternoon, Massie proceeded to request a roll call vote but was overruled by a quorum of members present. They passed the measure by voice vote with a majority of members shouting “aye” and just a few “nays” echoing in the chamber.

Himes, Rosa DeLauro, D-3, John Larson, D-1, and Joe Courtney, D-2, all drove to Washington for the vote. Reps. Jahana Hayes, D-5, did not respond to inquiries.

Most Americans will soon get a $1,200 check in their mailbox or in their checking account. The federal government will consult your lastest tax filing and if you made $75,000 or less, you will get $1,200. Income earners between $75,000- $99,000 will get a reduced amount, and above $99,000 no payment.

If you paid your most recent taxes by direct deposit, the stimulus money will be direct deposited into that account before April 6; if you paid by check, you will receive a check. Parents will also get $500 per child. Retirees will receive payment too.

The bill also offers higher unemployment payments for a longer period of time and makes the payments available to new kinds of workers, like gig workers and the self-employed. This comes as 3.3 million people filed unemployment claims with the U.S. Department of Labor last week — the most filed in single week since 1967 when data started being collected. Connecticut’s Department of

Labor was swamped with more than 100,000 claims.

The legislation means people who file for unemployment during the coronavirus outbreak will receive 100 percent of their wages plus $600 a week. They will also receive benefits for four more months than usual.

“We need to get cash to people to help them weather this storm – including retirees, the disabled, and families,” said Larson. “We need to help small businesses stay afloat and retain employees.”

To help school systems now adjusting to teaching remotely, the bill funnels $111 million to K-12 schools in Connecticut and $131 million to colleges and universities in the state, estimates from the Congressional Research Service show.

The legislation also pumps millions in federal programs for child care, heating assistance, food stamps, child welfare, family violence prevention and other community supports in Connecticut.

Connecticut small businesses will be eligible to apply for billions in loans. Many of these loans will be forgiven if the business keeps its employees on the payroll — even if they are furloughed. Employers will also be able to collect a refundable payroll tax credit equal to half of the amount they pay in wages to employees during the coronavirus outbreak. Employers will also be able to delay paying the employer portion of payroll taxes for a period.

Big corporations like Sikorsky Aircraft and Pitney Bowes in Connecticut may be able to collect millions in bail-outs for industry. These payments will have strings blocking them from being used for stock buy backs or increasing executive compensation.

Lawmakers have agreed that this stimulus passage — the third coronavirus response bill passed by Congress — is not likely to be their last legislative effort to combat the virus.

“We’ve got to be prepared to keep working across the aisle to do whatever is necessary to help Americans through this pandemic,” Courtney said.

emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson