Congress attempts to pass a relief bill before 2021. Will they succeed?
Congress reconvenes for the next two weeks in December to discuss a new relief bill. For beneficiaries of the CARES Act programs and protections, which expire at the end of 2020, the results from Congress' sessions this month may drastically affect their quality of life and financial stability. There is a new $908 billion bill proposed by bipartisan lawmakers that has potential to pass a vote.
What does the new relief bill include - and exclude?
Another stimulus payment?
The bill, which was designed to be an interim measure lasting through March 2021, does NOT include another $1,200+ stimulus check for individuals and families like the one from the the previous CARES Act.
The bill does, however, include several of the most crucial supportive programs for Americans in need. Here are the main programs that will be extended into 2021 if this bill passes.
Extended unemployment at $300 per week
Currently, some states are issuing enhanced #unemployment benefits of $300 per week through the Lost Wages Assistance program. This bill would extend that coverage through March 2021 with the intent that anyone receiving the benefit would not experience an interruption in their unemployment payments. If a new bill is not passed, the current coverage will lapse and the benefit will end when either the individual state runs out of funds or by the end of 2020 (whichever is sooner.)
An extension to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program is a small business loan that allows businesses to continue paying their staff, even with reduced revenue due to the #coronavirus pandemic. This loan requires businesses who receive it to route the bulk of the funds to paying staff wages and salaries, which has made it a popular option for businesses and employees alike. The proposed bill allocates money to renew the PPP program, without which many small business will be unable to continue to pay wages in 2021.
Extended eviction protections for renters
Until the end of 2020, eviction protections will be in place to protect renters from being evicted from their homes due to an inability to pay rent. This measure is not only a financial protection for renters, but it also prevents worsening the current public health crisis by keeping renters in their homes instead of forcing them into the homes of others, group homes, or homelessness due to eviction. The bill up for consideration allocates funding for rental assistance.
What happens if congress doesn’t pass a new bill?
Congress is meeting for two weeks this month before they break for the holidays. If they fail to pass an interim bill within that time, it’s likely that many Americans will suffer the financial consequences once the current benefit programs run out at the end of 2020. Consequences of further delays for Americans in need include: a loss of income, business, job, or even a loss of their home. Facing consequences so dire, many Americans will be grateful for renewed efforts by members of congress to collaborate on passing a new relief bill before the year ends.
What do you think the new relief bill should include?
Tell us below what you would like to see in the next relief bill.
Comments
A clean bill giving aid to American citizens and not aliens and others on Democrat wish lists is a possibility before Trump leaves office. Hopefully the Senate will be able to block Democrat wish lists for the next 4 years. Congress needs to start thinking about the good of the country and American citizens. They are not elected to give things to special interests, aliens, and foreign countries.
Congress and Senate should be given the same pay amount allocated to those who lost their jobs due to Congress/Senate incompetence.
Why is it these politicians have their hands in every cookie jar we fund? Why is it they have no worries and sure as hell aren't going to worry about our problems, if they were in our shoes it would be no problem to run off a couple more trillion on the machine . We dont have it that good and I dont think we hired them for that. What the f...did we hire them for?
The big trouble with this bill is it has billions in it that has nothing to do with the stimulus to help people but aid to foreign countries and programs that just waste money when this country is going into debt that will put it into bankruptcy.
My unemployment has been presently held up for the past 6 or 7 weeks. Where do I go or whom can I contact. I've called the unemployment line and after several calls no one has answered my questions. What must I do for the release of my unemployment funds?? My name is Clifton E Lott, Sr
Hi, Thank you for your mail I am from Sri Lanka, will it possible to work online remote Data entry job for part time. I am a Freelancer Please update me Thank You Ronald
we need another stimulis payment they say people are going back to work how many places will never reopen because of the virus and rioting and looting in democratic states that biden and pelosi refuse to comment on while they talk about defunding the police but as far as the stimulis payment even if people can go back to wotk they cannot catch up on bills from when they couldn't work
I've been looking for work since March due to the virus nobody calls u back they say they have work,but nobody calls u back and u can have the credintals no one cares.Its really hard to find a job that can help u financial instead of living paycheck to paycheck.Yes we need HELP so bad right noooww!
I believe the want-to-be-king is playing political chess, looking toward the 2024 election. His success of being in control is more important than any little man's suffering.
Special interest group? Tell that to your guy!