Post by t-bob on Feb 16, 2021 21:09:19 GMT -5
For the first time since Thanksgiving 2020, both chambers of Congress have gone home to their districts for a full week. Seven days with no pending brinkmanship nor imminent deadline.
But it won’t last long. March 15 marks the end of expanded unemployment benefits for American workers hit by the pandemic, and a critical point for the next round of COVID relief.
Today was the deadline for House committees to send in their specific plans for the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan proposal. At the moment, Democrats are not bending to calls from Republicans and moderates to lower and target some spending.
Those House committee plans form a critical first draft of the relief bill. We thought it well worth a look at what’s in Democrats' initial proposal.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
Checks. $1,400 direct payments to all Americans earning up to $75,000 annually ($150,000 for couples). Smaller prorated payments would go to those earning between $75,000 and $100,000 ($200,000 for couples).
Parents. $3000 refundable tax credit for Americans with children 6 to 17 years old, $3600 for children under 6. This is for the same income bracket as above and is a one-time temporary increase in the standard child tax credit.
Unemployment benefits. An extra $400 per week on top of all state unemployment benefits, up from the $300 per week the federal government is currently kicking in. Under the committee plans, that expansion would extend through Aug. 29.
Airline workers. $15 billion to help cover payrolls through August.
Airplane manufacturers. $3 billion to help cover payrolls through September 2023.
Health care. An increase in subsidies and tax credits for the Affordable Care Act for the next two years.
Rent. $25 billion in rental assistance.
Mortgages. $10 billion to help struggling homeowners.
Child care. $39 billion in block grants.
Food assistance. $5 billion in food assistance, with another $800 million for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and an extension of the 15 percent increase in SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program.
There’s a lot more —— excerpts
They’re not saying much about senior financial relief. There’s something different food financial stamps or more.
This is a draft bill. Soon there will be a final bill. Both houses - Reps and Senators then the prez signs the ink.
But it won’t last long. March 15 marks the end of expanded unemployment benefits for American workers hit by the pandemic, and a critical point for the next round of COVID relief.
Today was the deadline for House committees to send in their specific plans for the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan proposal. At the moment, Democrats are not bending to calls from Republicans and moderates to lower and target some spending.
Those House committee plans form a critical first draft of the relief bill. We thought it well worth a look at what’s in Democrats' initial proposal.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
Checks. $1,400 direct payments to all Americans earning up to $75,000 annually ($150,000 for couples). Smaller prorated payments would go to those earning between $75,000 and $100,000 ($200,000 for couples).
Parents. $3000 refundable tax credit for Americans with children 6 to 17 years old, $3600 for children under 6. This is for the same income bracket as above and is a one-time temporary increase in the standard child tax credit.
Unemployment benefits. An extra $400 per week on top of all state unemployment benefits, up from the $300 per week the federal government is currently kicking in. Under the committee plans, that expansion would extend through Aug. 29.
Airline workers. $15 billion to help cover payrolls through August.
Airplane manufacturers. $3 billion to help cover payrolls through September 2023.
Health care. An increase in subsidies and tax credits for the Affordable Care Act for the next two years.
Rent. $25 billion in rental assistance.
Mortgages. $10 billion to help struggling homeowners.
Child care. $39 billion in block grants.
Food assistance. $5 billion in food assistance, with another $800 million for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and an extension of the 15 percent increase in SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program.
There’s a lot more —— excerpts
They’re not saying much about senior financial relief. There’s something different food financial stamps or more.
This is a draft bill. Soon there will be a final bill. Both houses - Reps and Senators then the prez signs the ink.