Congress passed a $2.3 trillion legislative package (H.R. 133), the second-largest economic rescue package in U.S. history, on December 21 as part of a massive year-end spending bill that contains appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, additional COVID-19 relief, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorization, tax extenders and the Energy Act of 2020.
Both the House and Senate passed the $2.3 trillion bill by overwhelming majorities, just hours after lawmakers got their first look at the 5,593 pages of text. At this time, it is unclear whether President Donald Trump will sign the bill. He has now indicated that he would like Congress to increase the size of direct payments to individuals. A continuing resolution has been signed into law extending government funding through December 28.
Under the COVID-19 portion of the bill, more than $900 billion would be provided for unemployment aid, direct payments to individuals and business loans. The measure would provide funding for vaccines and testing, rental assistance, arts, education and broadband. It would also extend the moratorium on evictions through January 31, 2021, expand nutrition assistance programs and provide additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The measure does not include limits on COVID-related liability or additional direct funding for state and local governments.
The FY 21 Appropriations Omnibus includes $1.4 trillion to fund the federal government. It provides increased funding for most agencies and programs, including Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation.
This Holland & Knight memorandum provides a summary of key provisions in the omnibus and COVID-19 relief package, including:
- Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF)
- COVID-19 Relief for Individuals
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Water
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Department of Education (ED)
- Broadband
- Nutrition Assistance
- Arts
- Other Authorizing Measures in H.R. 133
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
