On Dec. 27, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, into law. This massive year-end package includes a coronavirus stimulus bill amounting to $900 billion in emergency relief funds, while also averting a government shutdown. It also includes a $1.4 trillion year-end spending bill and other legislation on taxes, energy, education and healthcare.
The bill will provide a $600 second stimulus check for certain Americans and dependent children under 17. It also includes funds for government benefits, such as $300 weekly unemployment checks for 10 weeks and rental assistance.
Funds for the Paycheck Protection Program are additionally included in this law. It adds $284 billion for small businesses and forgivable loans, while targeting businesses such as nonprofits, restaurants, live venues and others that have been hit particularly hard by closures, according to CNET.
The law also renews the eviction ban and extends it until Jan. 31, while providing $25 billion to state and local governments to aid in rent and utility payments to qualified renter households.
Finally, the law includes funds for healthcare and COVID-19 vaccinations. The package provides $16 billion for vaccine development and distribution and funding for virus testing and contact tracing.
Read everything included in the bill here.
About The Author
Holly Sauer
Senior Associate EditorHolly Sauer has worked for Electrical Contractor magazine since 2019 and is the senior associate editor. She went to Washington & Jefferson College and studied English and art history. At Electrical Contractor magazine, she creates the newsletters and the new and featured products sections. She also edits articles for the three publications and occasionally writes on tools and industry news. She is fueled by the desire to read every book ever written. And coffee. Reach her on LinkedIn or at [email protected].
