Date: January 5, 2021
President Donald Trump signed the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package into law on December 27.
Several MEMA priorities passed in the package. These included: $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to assist small businesses, and $68 billion for vaccine distribution.
Other MEMA priorities such as liability relief for businesses and universities as well as additional specific state and local government funding were not included.
Checks of $600 went to each person with incomes up to $75,000, with benefits phased down and eliminated at $87,000. Rent relief and food assistance was also provided. Unemployment relief was reinstated at $300 per week through mid-March. This is half of the $600 per week in the initial package that ran through July.
This measure was attached to the FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations bill that funds the federal government through September.
National Public Radio provided this summary.
