Congress passes $2.3 trillion government spending and virus relief package
After several months of debate, late yesterday evening Congress passed a nearly $2.3 trillion spending bill that includes $1.4 trillion in FY21 appropriations along with $900 billion in additional COVID-19 relief measures. Included in the measure was another 7 day Continuing Resolution (CR), which the President signed early this morning to keep the federal government open through Dec. 28th. The President has until then to sign the spending measure, which he is expected to do so.
While our office is still going through the text of the nearly 6,000 page bill, here is what we know.
COVID-19 Relief Bill Topline figures:
$82 billion for Education
-$54.3 billion for public education
-$22.7 billion for higher education
- $20 billion for public and private (non-profit) schools to be split between institutions and students
- $1.7 billion for HBCU’s, tribal colleges, and Minority Serving Institutions
$908 million for “for-profit” schools
-$4.05 billion for Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund to be used at their discretion for education aid
The bill also includes $286 billion for extended unemployment insurance, an additional $300 per week for all workers receiving unemployment benefits, and another round of stimulus checks of up to $600 per qualifying individual.
$69 billion for vaccines, testing and tracing and Community Health and Health Care Provider Support.
$3.25 billion for small business relief, with 87% of that being set aside through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.
There is no additional student loan payment forbearance included in this round of COVID relief. Earlier this month, Secretary DeVos announced forbearance would be extended through Jan. 31, 2021, with payments restarting on Feb. 1, 2021.
FY21 Omnibus Funding Bill Topline Figures
The omnibus spending bill includes increases in many areas directly impacting Texas A&M, including:
- National Science Foundation: $8.5 billion – an increase of $208.4 million above FY20
- National Institutes of Health: $42.9 billion – an increase of $1.25 billion above FY20
- NASA: $23.27 billion – an increase of $642.3 million above FY20
- Institute of Education Sciences: $642.4 million – an increase of $19 million above FY20
- Pell Grants: $6,495 per eligible student for academic year 21-22 – an increase of $150 above FY20
- Federal Work Study: $1.2 billion – an increase of $10 million above FY20
Further, the single largest priority for Texas A&M University this past year was funding for a new training vessel for the Texas A&M Maritime Academy located at Texas A&M University at Galveston, which was fully funded.
It will take us several days to read through the bill in it's entirety. In the interim, if you have any questions regarding this spending measure, or other federal relations matters, please call or email our office.
