House Democrats unveiled a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill late Monday, in an attempt to break the impasse on negotiations before the election. The latest version of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act is priced down from the original $3.4 trillion, but is likely to face opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate even if it passes the House.
The bill retains funds for states to enhance wages for essential workers, and restores $600 weekly enhanced federal unemployment payments through January. It also includes improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program, including the expansion of the program to businesses with less than 10 employees, sole proprietors, the self-employed and nonprofits. In addition, it earmarks money for housing assistance and funding for states to establish and implement strike teams to deploy to nursing homes.
Late last week, LeadingAge sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi outlining provisions the group sees as critical to providing essential services to older adults and those who care for them.
“This crisis is not over,” wrote LeadingAge president and CEO Katie Smith Sloan.
Democratic aides told The Hill Tuesday that Democrats plan to bring the bill to a vote before week’s end if an agreement with Republicans doesn’t materialize sooner.
