U.S. House and Senate Leadership Agree on $900 Billion Pandemic Relief Package

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2020

CONTACT: Johanna Tschebull

On December 11, U.S. House and Senate leadership reached an agreement on a $900 billion pandemic relief package to support businesses, nonprofit organizations, states, local governments, schools, families, and individuals through April 2021. Both legislative chambers are expected to pass the package as soon as December 21 combined with a $1.4 trillion omnibus appropriations bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of the 2021 fiscal year. Legislative text is available online here and a more detailed summary from Democratic leadership can be found here. The pandemic relief package provides the following:

Federal Unemployment Benefits – $120 billion

  • Federal enhanced unemployment benefit at $300 per week through March 14, 2021
  • Extends Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program that expands coverage for the self-employed, gig workers, and other in non-traditional employment
  • Extends Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program that provides additional weeks of benefits for those that have exhausted state unemployment benefits

Federal Stimulus Payments – $166 billion

  • Provides another stimulus payment of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 and $1,200 for joint filers as well as $600 per dependent child

Aid to Small Businesses – $325 billion

  • Provides $284 billion for first and second forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with dedicated set-asides for smaller-sized businesses and increased lending through community-based financial institutions and financial institutions that serve minority communities
  • Provides $15 billion for Save Our Stages Act legislation that establishes a grant program under the Small Business Administration to support businesses and nonprofit organizations that operate live venues or hosts live events

Provides $22 billion directly to states for pandemic testing, tracing, and mitigation programs

Provides $4.5 billion for mental health programs

Provides $82 billion for K-12 schools and higher education institutions

Provides $25 billion for rental assistance to families and extends eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021

Provides $3.2 billion in emergency funding to increase broadband access for low-income families and provides $300 million to fund broadband in rural areas

Extends and expands the refundable Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)

Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list of programs provided for in the agreed-to pandemic relief package. Dance/USA will provide further detailed information on specific relief programs over the coming days. Further inquiries can be directed to Tony Shivers, Dance/USA Director of Government Affairs. Learn more about Dance/USA advocacy here.

About Dance/USA
Propelled by our belief that dance can inspire a more just and humane world, Dance/USA will amplify the power of dance to inform and inspire a nation where creativity and the field thrive.

Established in 1982, Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating, and supporting individuals and organizations.  Dance/USA’s core programs are focused in the areas of engagement, advocacy, research, and preservation. Learn more about Dance/USA at danceusa.org. 

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