Work on the coronavirus relief package that could send $1,400 to millions of adults and children in the United States should be coming together by the end of the week and be ready for discussion and passage soon after, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
On Tuesday, Hoyer, D-Maryland., warned lawmakers that they should be prepared to work through Feb. 26 and into the ensuing weekend to get the next coronavirus relief bill passed out of the House.
As various House committees work to craft the bill, here is a look at some of what is expected to be in the legislation:
Education: Almost $130 billion will go to K-12 schools for use to buy personal protective gear, update ventilation systems, reduce class sizes and hire support staff. In addition to those expenditures, the bill would also will help prevent teacher layoffs next year.
Food assistance: A 15% increase in food stamp benefits would be extended through September. The House plan would extend the 15% increase in food stamp benefits through September, instead of having it expire at the end of June. About $880 million is earmarked for WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Health care: The legislation would increase the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits for 2021 and 2022; it would subsidize COBRA coverage through the end of the fiscal year and would create health care subsidies for unemployed workers who are ineligible for COBRA.
Housing: State and local governments would get $19 billion to pay for back rent, rent assistance and utilities low-income households with unemployed members.
State and local governments: State and local governments are in line to get $350 billion.
Stimulus checks: According to Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, eligible Americans will get a $1,400 direct payment. In addition, children and dependent adults will also get the $1,400 payment. To qualify, you must make less than $75,000 a year if you are single, $150,000 for a couple or $112,000 if you file as head of household.
Tax credit: The proposed legislation enhances the Earned Income Tax Credit for workers without children by nearly tripling the maximum credit and extending eligibility.
It also expands the Child Tax Credit to $3,000 per child ($3,600 for children under 6), and makes it fully refundable and advanceable, meaning a parent can get the $3,000 payment in monthly installments instead of waiting to take the credit on next year’s tax return.
There is also a proposal that would allow families to claim up to half of their child care expenses on their income tax.
Unemployment: The bill will extend temporary federal unemployment and benefits through Aug. 29. It would increase federal benefits from $300 weekly to $400 weekly.
Vaccines: The bill will provide $14 billion for vaccines and $46 billion for testing and contact tracing. Another $7.6 billion will go to hire 100,000 public health workers to support coronavirus response.
Cox Media Group
