Congress Picks Up the Bill

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Congress passes relief bill

By now, you’ve heard about the coronavirus (COVID-19) that is spreading across the globe. As of March 18, 2020, all 50 states are reporting cases of the virus. The total count in the US has reached 5,881 confirmed cases and 107 deaths (source NYTimes). (Up-to-date COVID-19 Tracker)

With city-wide shutdowns, people are spending and earning less, businesses are suffering and it looks like we’re headed towards an economic recession.

Congress just passed the Coronavirus Relief Bill to support citizens and the economy with overwhelming bipartisan support on March 18, 2020. President Trump signed it that night.

What’s included in the bill?

Pays for coronavirus testing
Requires paid sick leave for those affected
Helps businesses pay for sick leave
Strengthens unemployment insurance benefits for those fired or have hours reduced
Helps low-income families afford food

What’s next?

The bill passed Congress and has been signed into law by President Trump. Trump requested a separate and huuuuuge (like $1 trillion) stimulus package and things like immediate relief in the form of $1,000 checks for all citizens (s/o to Andrew Yang) and bailouts for industries impacted like airlines. That’s what’s coming in part 3.

Recap:

Part 1: $8.3 billion to fund spurring coronavirus vaccine research and development (passed March 6)
Part 2: $100 billion largely focused on paid sick leave and unemployment benefits for workers and families (passed March 18)
Part 3: $750 billion – $1 trillion to prevent a recession (being drafted). This would be larger than the $700 billion economic relief bill passed during the 2008 recession.

What’s the Post-partisan take?

It’s a scary and trying time as information and the world around us seem to change daily. And while we’re in a state of uncertainty, we’re also looking for glimmers of hope. Congress passing a bill with such overwhelming bipartisan support? A huge glimmer. President Trump demanding relief by putting cash in the hands of struggling Americans, with Democrats supporting the demand? Triple huge glimmer.

We’re seeing small examples of what we can happen when we put down political loyalty and pick up protecting the wellbeing of all Americans first. Now imagine if this was how we operated all the time. That’s the post-partisan world we’re fighting to create.

What Does the Coronavirus Bill Mean for Me?

If you get sick…

The government will pay for the test confirming you’re sick.
Your health insurance (or lack of) determines how much the rest of your care cost.
The government will pay your company to pay you for sick leave – if you work at a company between 50 and 500 people
If you are told to quarantine the government will cover part of your loss of income

If you get laid off because of coronavirus…