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Category: Appropriations

Stimulus Bill Fails in Senate

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The Senate today voted on a GOP-introduced $500 billion stimulus package, however the bill failed on a 51-44 vote.

Negotiations continue between House Democrats and the Administration. The two sides are potentially very close to reaching a deal on an almost $2 trillion package. Senate Majority leadership reportedly does not support such a large price tag. An agreement would need to be reached between the House, Senate, and Administration in the next few days in order to pass both chambers and be signed into law before the November 3rd elections.

Updates here.

CR Signed, Government Still Open

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After returning from a campaign rally late last night, President Trump signed a continuing resolution (CR)  that will keep the government funded through December 11.  FY2021 officially started at midnight this morning and none of the 12 individual spending bills have been signed into law.  In theory, the extension until December 11 gives Congress and the White House extra time to reach agreement on the appropriations bills.  The Senate cleared the CR earlier in the day yesterday by a vote of 84 to 10.

There was a bit of drama last night as the President technically missed the midnight deadline to sign the resolution, which was not officially signed until about 1 AM.  However, given that he was going to sign the measure, federal agencies were not making preparations to shutdown.

House Updates HEROES Act

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House Democrats have released an updated, smaller, “HEROES Act 2.0”, totaling approximately $2.2 trillion. This COVID relief bill would provide support for small businesses, airline workers, childcare, food security, the Census, education, local governments, and healthcare. Specifically, $39 billion would go to colleges and universities, $3 billion would go to research relief for NIH, and $2.9 billion would go to research relief for NSF. Research relief for other agencies is not included.

A one-pager is available here.

A vote is expected in the coming days. The Senate is not expected to take action, however negotiations between House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the Administration continue.

House Passes Continuing Resolution

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The House passed a continuing resolution (“CR”), H.R. 8337, to fund the Federal Government through December 11th, 2020 and avoid a potential shutdown. The bipartisan resolution passed 359-57 and is part of a deal reached by House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the Administration. The CR must still pass in the Senate and be signed by the President. The full story is available here.

As of now, all 12 FY 2021 appropriations bills have passed in the House, but none have passed in the Senate, indicating a likely long road ahead.

 

Senate Republicans Release Targeted COVID-19 Package

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Today, US Senate Republican leaders released a smaller, targeted COVID-19 package. Titled “Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act”, the legislation focuses on specific priorities including childcare, COVID-19 testing, unemployment insurance, and the USPS. It would cost approximately $500 billion and a vote is expected as soon as this week. A larger relief package remains in limbo as Democratic and Republican leaders failed to reach an agreement on a topline number.