Update on Legislative Response to COVID-19: House Passes Latest COVID-19 Relief Package

Early this morning, Saturday, February 27th, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus and relief package in a 219-212 vote, sending the measure over to the U.S. Senate.

The $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus and relief proposal would be the first legislative priority of the new Administration. The package includes $50 billion in direct aid to small businesses, $1,400 direct checks to Americans making less than $75,000 annually, an increase in the child tax credit, direct funding to state and local governments, funding for schools as well as additional resources for vaccine distribution. Additionally, the package extends the $400 federal unemployment benefit through August 2021. The House legislation also includes a provision that would gradually increase the federal hourly minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2025. However, this provision is expected to be removed upon consideration in the U.S. Senate.

To learn more about the current and future pandemic aid Congressional proposals, contact Bill Applegate or Chris Rorick.