Congress Sends Massive Year-End Bill to President Trump

After weeks of tense negotiations, the House and Senate were able to reach an agreement on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill and a $1.4 trillion omnibus appropriations package that funds the government through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2021. Both houses also cleared language to fund the government through midnight on Monday, December 28, while the bill is being enrolled and sent to the President.

In a surprise move the day after the legislation passed, President Trump threatened to veto the legislation, calling for Congress to increase the amount of the stimulus checks from $600 per person to $2,000 per person. The next step in the process hinges on whether the President ultimately chooses to exercise his veto power. 

Both the House and Senate passed the year-end package with overwhelming margins and, thus, would be well-positioned to override the veto. The one wildcard is whether the President may effectively block a veto override by exercising a pocket veto after the current session of Congress ends on January 3. If that happens, the House and Senate would have to pass the package again after the new session of Congress resumes in January.  

While there is still uncertainty as to the timing and tactics (and possibly the size of the stimulus checks), we continue to believe that the current package will become law. We will continue to monitor developments and share updates as appropriate. 

Below, please find links to summary documents from the omnibus appropriations bill, the COVID-19 relief bill, and the various legislation authorized in the year-end package.

Links

Appropriations Provisions

• Full Text
• Chairwoman Lowey (D-NY) Explanatory Statement
• Division-By-Division Summary
• Explanatory Statement: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2020
• Explanatory Statement: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021
• Explanatory Statement: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021

Coronavirus Relief Provisions

• Full Summary
• Summary: Agriculture Assistance
• Summary: Nutrition Provisions
• Summary: Coronavirus Relief Funds Extension
• Summary: Rescission of Unused CARES Act Funds and Termination of Temporary Emergency Lending Facilities
• Section-By-Section: Rescission of Unused CARES Act Funds and Termination of Temporary Emergency Lending Facilities
• Summary: Finance Health Provisions
• Summary: Job Corps
• Summary: Postal Loan Forgiveness
• Summary: Section 3610 Extension
• Summary: Continued Assistance to Unemployed Workers
• Summary: Unemployment Assistance COVID-19 Extension Provisions
• Summary: The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act
• Summary: COVID-Related Tax Relief Act Of 2020
• Summary: Banking Provisions
• Summary: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Section-By-Section: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Summary: Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act
• Summary: Provisions from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Authorizing Matters

• Summary

Contact Information

If you have any questions concerning this alert, please contact: