Prior to reaching agreement on the size of another package of financial aid in response to COVID-19, a more immediate test for Congress was to agree on legislation to provide funding to prevent a federal government shutdown at the start of a new fiscal year on October 1, 2020. Legislators were able to pass that test by producing a $1.4 trillion stopgap spending measure to fund the federal government at current levels through December 11 of this year. Still pending is the necessity of completing work on the 12 annual appropriations bills for fiscal year 2021 during the lame duck session of Congress that will follow the elections on November 3.
An effort to agree on the size of an aid package to address a wide range of problems stemming from the coronavirus has proved, however, to be much more challenging and nettlesome. Last May, the House of Representatives passed a $3.4 trillion stimulus bill (H.R.6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act or the HEROES Act) that included aid for state and local governments; rent and mortgage relief; expanded unemployment benefits and food assistance; another round of direct cash payments of up to $1,200 to individuals; and a two-year federal backstop of subsidies to support health plans and coverage of job-based insurance premiums between March and next January for workers who have been laid off or furloughed. Senate Republicans responded by indicating that among many other objections, they would not approve an extension and were in no hurry to pass more relief. Instead, they were in favor of gauging the impact of previously passed stimulus packages before considering additional legislation.
By early July, Republicans expressed interest in having coronavirus legislation that would prioritize COVID-19 testing and vaccine research, and address expanded unemployment benefits that were scheduled to expire at the end of July. By the middle of that month, White House officials and Senate Republicans agreed that relief legislation should cost $1 trillion or less. By the end of July, GOP members favored having another round of loans for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), stimulus checks for individual Americans, and provisions to protect seniors from a potential increase in their health insurance premiums. White House officials were less enthusiastic about including stimulus check eligibility and a possible payroll tax cut. By early August, congressional Republicans favored a $1.1 trillion stimulus package. Unable to overcome an impasse on Capitol Hill, as reported in the July/August 2020 issue of this newsletter, President Trump released a series of executive orders in August to address several current needs.
By the start of October, House Democrats were willing to trim their aid package to $2.2 trillion, but Senate Republicans showed little interest in providing funds at that level. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met to negotiate on several occasions, but could not finalize an agreement. Next, Republicans agreed to increase their proposal to $1.6 trillion, but Democrats insisted a larger amount is needed. By October 9, President Trump was willing to go as high as $1.88 trillion, but as of the time this issue of the newsletter is being distributed, final results still are pending.
More October 2020 TRENDS Articles
IN SEARCH OF CONNECTIONS
Discusses COVID-19 in the context of a 19th century cholera epidemic and its subsequent linkage to the germ theory of disease that was based on four famous postulates involving causative pathogens. Read More
DUELING COVID-19 AID PACKAGES
Looks at efforts to add increased stimulus funding to address a wide range of problems stemming from this disease. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Points how out to achieve near-universal health insurance coverage, Medicare prices paid by private plans, and how a Supreme Court confirmation hearing involved discussions of the Affordable Care Act. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes the impact of the coronavirus on higher education, fostering research integrity, and launching of a new FAFSA cycle. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
American Adolescents And Mental Illness Treatment Variation
Alcohol-Induced Deaths Among Adults Aged 25 And Over, U.S., 2000-2018
Use Of Holographic Imaging To Detect Viruses And Antibodies
Cell Revival Following A Heart Attack Read More
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
U.S. Women Living In Areas Devoid Of Proper Maternity Care
Mental Health Of U.S. Adults
Integrating Systems And Sectors Toward Obesity Solutions Read More
BIG DATA, RESEARCH, AND ETHICS CHALLENGES FOR IRBs
Examines how shifts in biomedical research have led to questions regarding which oversight bodies should be involved for this kind of research. Read More
HISPANIC GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HOSPITALIZED HEART PATIENTS
Pertains to the significant underrepresentation of women in heart failure studies and the need to develop health care strategies. Read More