Bipartisan bill attempts to stimulate congress negotiations

Congress has been unable to pass a bill that will provide relief from the social and financial destruction caused by the #Coronavirus. While they debate, Americans are still left waiting for a long-term solution to the unique struggles of pandemic living. The divide in congress has until now been cleanly split down political lines, however a bipartisan group called the Problem Solver Caucus is coming forward with a bill they hope will unite both sides (or at least bring them back to negotiations across party lines…) The bill is called March to Common Ground and is meant to consider various perspectives, introducing a compromise that should have a little something in it for everyone.

**So what’s in this new bipartisan bill and how would it affect you if it’s passed? **

What do individuals get from the bill?

$1,200 stimulus payment

The new proposed bill has much the same stimulus check plan as was included in the CARES Act’s original stimulus package. Payments are to be disbursed directly to individuals and families at an amount starting at $1,200 for individuals with an additional $500 for each dependent child. There is also a provision in this bill for a stimulus “booster” payment in March 2021 if pandemic conditions haven’t acceptably improved for Americans.

Funding for Coronavirus testing and contact tracing

Testing and contact tracing for Coronavirus exposure are essential functions for keeping everyone in our communities safe during the pandemic. This bill would allocate funds toward supporting healthcare providers and government agencies so they can continue and expand these practices.

Funding for schools and childcare facilities

Unlike previous bills, which limited or distributed funds unevenly among schools and childcare facilities based on whether they were running on-site services, this proposed bill covers all schools and childcare facilities regardless of this distinction. This means that whether your child’s school is running classes on-site, remotely, or somewhere in-between, it would receive funding under this bill. Funding is intended to go toward additional protective measures, technologies needed to operate k-12 schools, universities and childcare facilities safely during the pandemic.

Enhanced funding for WIC and SNAP food benefits

If you’re in need of food benefits, WIC and SNAP should have you covered under this bill, as these programs will be receiving extra funding. With the current pandemic, food insecurity has skyrocketed, and the boost should help these programs to keep Americans fed.

Access to the internet with mobile hotspots

Since many of us are living, learning and possibly even working remotely, internet access has been a crucial access point for almost all quarantined Americans. In communities where these services are not equally available, however, internet disconnection can mean an end to the ability to attend school lessons, work from home, or look for new work. With this bill, mobile hotspots would be set up in these disadvantaged communities to allow people in those areas to gain access to the services they need to learn and live.

For workers and unemployed job seekers

Additional unemployment money

A boost to unemployment is proposed in the bill for 13 weeks, starting at a rate of $450 per week, then increasing to $600 per week after 8 weeks. There is also the possibility that this system could eventually transition to match the pay-rate of your previous job.

The period for #unemployment coverage is suggested from mid-October 2020 through the end of January 2021. Based on the health of the economy in February 2021, there would also be a “booster” period of additional unemployment insurance that would last for another 3 months.

Worker protections from COVID-19 infection and exposure

While this bill includes a provision that protects companies and institutions from legal liability for Coronavirus cases, it also promises protections for workers, students and customers by investing in enforcing enhanced OSHA guidelines for COVID-19 safety.

Employers and institutions who follow these guidelines would receive protection from lawsuits, while workers, students and customers should benefit from increased compliance. This could mean a safer workplace, school or shopping experience for you if this bill passes.

Paycheck Protection Program renewal

The Paycheck Protection Program is a small business loan which allows businesses to stay afloat while also protecting those funds from being allocated away from employee paychecks. Employers are required to route the bulk of their PPP funds toward payroll expenses, meaning that, if your employer gets this loan, they would still be able to pay staff despite lower income due to the pandemic.

This program is no longer accepting applications, however should this bill pass small businesses would be able to apply again. If you work for a company that has been struggling to pay its workers, the boost from receiving one of these loans could help protect your job and income.

Bringing a compromise to the table

Throughout the process of negotiations on a pandemic relief program for the American people there has been much debate over what should be prioritized. While congress debates, however, Americans continue to go without a long-term plan for pandemic relief. The hope, with this bill, is that negotiations can begin in earnest so an agreement can be reached soon.

What’s your take on stimulus money? Share your thoughts in the comments below.