Congress passed a $2.3 trillion package, which included $1.4 trillion to fund the government and $900 billion in coronavirus relief. The bill now goes to President Trump’s desk, where he has until December 28th to sign it. 

The relief package includes:

• $600 per person stimulus checks - for individuals earning $75,000 and less 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 
  • ​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
• $10 billion for Postal Service

The bill did not include the controversial corporate immunity provision. The package also lift out immigrants from receiving aid and state and local government funding. 

Congress is set to go on recess until the new year but is already turning its attention to a potential sixth package. 

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.

Poligon joined over 50+ organizations in sending a letter in support of the COVID Community Care Act (H.R. 8192/S.4941) and urge swift passage and implementation of this essential piece of legislation. This bill recognizes the essential role local non-profits, faith-based and community-based organizations have played in addressing Covid-19 through culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach for testing, contact tracing and the provision of resources such as access to food, medicine, and personal protective equipment, as well as the resource coordination necessary to address job and housing insecurity.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of bipartisan lawmakers, unveiled a $908 billion COVID-19 relief framework aimed to break stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over emergency assistance amidst the pandemic. 

The framework includes:

• $160 billion for State, Local, and Tribal Governments
• $180 billion for additional Unemployment Insurance (UI)
• $288 billion for small businesses including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• $45 billion for Transportation (Airlines, Airports, Buses, Transit, and Amtrak)
• $16 billion for Vaccine Development and Distribution 
• $35 billion for Healthcare Provider Relief Fund
• $82 billion for Education
• $25 billion for Housing Assistance
• $26 billion for Nutrition (including SNAP)
• $10 billion for U.S. Postal Service

The unemployment benefits would reduce to $300 a week for 18 week, compared to the $600 per week included under the CARES Act. The funds would run through the first quarter of 2021. Congress is running out of time to pass a fifth relief bill with lawmakers scheduled to leave for the year as soon as next week and multiple federal assistance programs set to expire at the end of the month. 

Due to COVID-19 many families will be able to participate on Thanksgiving day. In a very real way these families will not have food to put on their tables, and the threat of hunger, unemployment, unpaid rent, mortgages, and medical bills will drown out the holiday joy this season is supposed to bring. During this month of remembrance, then, and on behalf of the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs (DHN), a coalition representing an array of religious denominations, service agencies, and faith-based organizations, we ask Congress to take responsibility and support suffering families by passing a robust COVID-19 relief package.

We believe a robust COVID-19 relief package should enact the following policy priorities:

• Increase SNAP by 15%
• Allocate more money for housing, homeless assistance, and extend the moratorium on evictions
• Extend expanded unemployment assistance
• Expand the EITC and Child Tax Credit
• Authorize another economic impact payment
• Authorize pandemic TANF

Vital assistance for workers, renters, and small businesses have expired and several of COVID-19 relief measures are set to expire on December 31st. Congress must act now and pass an additional COVID-19 relief package. Click here to urge your Senate to provide relief to impacted communities.

House voted to pass an updated version of The Heroes Act.  The bill was approved by a tally of 214 to 204. Every House Republican voted no, saying 2.2 trillion is too much to spend and the funding targeted programs unrelated to the coronavirus crisis. The $2.2 trillion legislation includes:

• 15% increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 
• $225 billion for education – including $182 billion for K-12 schools and nearly $39 billion for postsecondary education – and $57 billion to support child care for families.
• $436 billion for assistance to state, local, territorial and tribal governments 
• $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures
• $1,200 stimulus check per taxpayer and $500 per dependent
• $600 federal unemployment payments through next January
• 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 

It also includes a key provision backed by President Trump and GOP allies:

• Provisions to improve the Paycheck Protection Program to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits
• $25 billion to stave off thousands of layoffs at passenger airlines, as well as $3 billion for airline contractors. The restaurant industry would receive $120 billion in aid. 
• Additional assistance for airline industry workers, extending the Payroll Support Program to keep airline industry workers paid

​Currently, the Republicans in the Senate and White House both oppose the bill and want a proposal that is $600 billion less. Negotiations between the House leaders and the White House are still ongoing.

House Democrats released an updated version of The Heroes Act, which reflected negotiations between Democrats and Republicans. The $2.2 trillion legislation includes:

• 15% increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 
• $225 billion for education – including $182 billion for K-12 schools and nearly $39 billion for postsecondary education – and $57 billion to support child care for families.
• $436 billion for assistance to state, local, territorial and tribal governments 
• $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures
• $1,200 stimulus check per taxpayer and $500 per dependent
• $600 federal unemployment payments through next January
• 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 

​The updated HEROES Act also includes a key provision backed by President Trump and GOP allies:

• Provisions to improve the Paycheck Protection Program to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits
• $25 billion to stave off thousands of layoffs at passenger airlines, as well as $3 billion for airline contractors. The restaurant industry would receive $120 billion in aid. 
• Additional assistance for airline industry workers, extending the Payroll Support Program to keep airline industry workers paid

A possible vote on the legislation this Wednesday or Thursday, before the House leaves for October congressional recess.