Details of the Bi-partisan, Bi-Cameral Stimulus Proposed Package
Many Senate and the House Democrats and Republicans have agreed on a stimulus package for $908 billion for the next four months. Senate Minority Leader McConnell and President Trump are not on board.
What’s in it?
Unemployment Insurance (UI) — $180 billion
· Coverage for gig workers
· $300 added weekly benefits on top of existing UI benefits
· An additional 13 weeks of coverage
Small business PPP
· $300 billion
Health Care
· $35 billion for hard hit providers
· $6 billion for vaccines (development and distribution)
· $7 billion for testing and tracing
Student loan repayment obligations
· Paused ‘til the end of April
Schools
· $82 billion
· $10 billion for child care
· $6.25 billion for broad band and $3 billion for connective devices
Rent and mortgages
· $25 billion
· Extends eviction protections through January 31
Nutrition
· 15% bump for food stamps
· More funding for food banks and food pantries
Airlines and transportation -- $45 billion
· Funding for airline workers
· Funding for airports, mass transit and rail
State and local aid
· $160 billion
US Postal Service
· $10 billion
What is holding it up? Senator McConnell wants liability protections for businesses and does not want to fund state and local governments. Senators Sanders and Hawley want $1200 stimulus checks. No one knows what President Trump wants other than to overthrow his rejection by the nation’s voters.
PS: As of this morning the bi-partisan group split their bill in two parts: the second contains the liability relief that McConnell wants and the state and local relief that Pelosi and Shumer want. In essence it stops holding the rest of the relief hostage for the two issues that are still dividing the part leaders.
What do we need to do? Contact your local Representatives and Senators right now.
Prepared by: Lucien Wulsin
Dated: 12/14/20