Operations

Congress approves $1.9T stimulus bill

Image courtesy of iStock.

March 10, 2021

Congress on Wednesday approved President Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus package by a vote of 220-211 to provide pandemic aid, one of the largest federal aid packages since the Great Depression, according to a New York Times report.

The National Restaurant Association, which has advocated for additional funds for restaurants, commended the Senate Saturday for passing the bill, which increases funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

The president is expected to sign the bill, known as the American Rescue Plan, Friday.

The bill will provide additional direct payments for individuals, an extension of jobless benefits, support for coronavirus vaccines and relief for states, schools and small businesses.

While Republicans, united in opposition, said the bill is unaffordable, 70% of Americans support the measure, according to a Pew Research Center poll.

Payments of up to $1,400 will go to individuals earning $80,00 or less, single parents earning $120,000 or less and couples earning $160,000 or less.

The bill also includes weekly unemployment payments of $300 per week through Sept. 6 and as much as $10,200 from 2020 will be tax exempt for households with less than $150,000 in annual income.

There will also be child tax credits of $300 per child for children five years old and younger and $250 for those 6 to 17 years old.

The bill includes $350 billion for local, state and tribal governments, $10 billion for infrastructure projects, $14 billion for vaccine distribution, $130 billion for primary and secondary schools, $30 billion for transit agencies, $45 billion in utility, rental and mortgage assistance and billions for small companies and live performance venues.

For an update on how the pandemic has affected kiosks, click here.