After months of stalemate, Congress has reached a deal on a $900 billion in COVID-19 relief package, as multiple federal aid programs are set to expire at the end of the year.
The agreement includes:
- $600 per person stimulus checks – for individuals earning $75,000 per year and $600 for their children.
- Additional $300 per week through unemployment insurance and a federal unemployment insurance
- $284 billion in loans for businesses
- $69 billion in testing and vaccine distribution funds
- $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools.
- $25 billion in rental assistance and a one-month extension of the eviction moratorium
- $20 billion for hospitals and healthcare providers
- $13 billion in food assistance is also in the bill
- Increases SNAP benefits by 15% for 6 months
- Ensures college students have access to SNAP
- Additional funding for food banks and senior nutrition programs
- Emergency funds for school and day care feeding programs
The package excludes the GOP priority of liability protection from Covid-19-related lawsuits for businesses. It also doesn’t include additional aid to State and Local governments. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the package beginning Monday.
