WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an additional COVID-19 relief package amounting to $900 billion. The legislation includes Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s bill, the LOCAL Act, which will extend the deadline to spend Coronavirus Relief Funds for one year, to December 31, 2021.
The legislation also includes:
- $30 billion for vaccine development and deployment.
- $285 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, helping small businesses and independent contractors.
- $300 a week in additional unemployment insurance benefits for 10 weeks.
- $600 stimulus payments for individuals making up to $75,000; $1,200 payments for couples making up to $150,000; $600 payments for dependent children.
- $13 billion for farmers, ranchers, cattlemen and producers.
- $13 billion for additional emergency food assistance.
- $7 billion for broadband development.
Following the vote, Thompson issued the following statement:
“Today’s legislation will provide hardworking American families and small businesses with relief going into 2021,” said Thompson. “Operation Warp Speed has delivered a modern medical marvel by developing a vaccine in under a year, and this bill will help ensure vaccines are widely available to those who need it most. It’s a shame this legislation was held up by partisan politics for so long, but I’m confident today’s relief package will help save lives, save jobs, and save our economy.”