After the Senate passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 by a vote of 50-49 last weekend, today the House of Representatives passed the Senate bill by a vote of 220-211. Now the legislation goes to President Biden for his signature.

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

This bill provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.

Specifically, the bill provides funding for

  • agriculture and nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program);
  • schools and institutions of higher education;
  • child care and programs for older Americans and their families;
  • COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention;
  • mental health and substance-use disorder services;
  • emergency rental assistance, homeowner assistance, and other housing programs;
  • payments to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments for economic relief;
  • multiemployer pension plans;
  • small business assistance, including specific programs for restaurants and live venues;
  • programs for health care workers, transportation workers, federal employees, veterans, and other targeted populations;
  • international and humanitarian responses;
  • tribal government services; and
  • scientific research and development.

The bill also includes provisions that

  • extend unemployment benefits and related services through August, 2021 with a $300 federal addition;
  • provide a maximum recovery rebate of $1,400 per eligible individual. Under the new package, individuals earning less than $75,000 per year will receive a $1,400 payment (as will heads of household earning less than $112,500 per year), and couples filing jointly earning less than $150,000 per year will receive $2,800;
  • expand and otherwise modify certain tax credits, including the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit;
  • provide premium assistance for certain health insurance coverage; and
  • require coverage, without cost-sharing, of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Here is the full legislative text:  https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text