The House passed Democrats' revised $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill 214-207 on Thursday as 11th-hour negotiations between leaders for a bipartisan deal continue.
Why it matters: The legislation, a slimmed down version of the House's initial $3.4 trillion HEROES Act, is Democrats' last ditch effort to strike a stimulus deal with the White House and Senate Republicans before Election Day, though many lawmakers admit they think the legislation has little chance of becoming law.
What's in the bill: The proposal would ...
- Restore weekly enhanced unemployment benefits to $600.
- Extend the small business Paycheck Protection Program, which expired in early August.
- Allocate $28 billion for a vaccine, and $2 billion for more personal protective equipment for industries significantly impacted by COVID.
- Increase federal spending on Medicaid.
- Expand the employee retention tax credit.
- Provide $436 billion for state and local governments and a 15% increase in food-stamp benefits.
- Provide another round of $1,200 direct payments to Americans.
- Increase funding for schools, airlines workers and COVID testing.
What's next: The Senate is unlikely to move on the bill while bipartisan talks between Congress and the White House continue, and few on Capitol Hill are optimistic discussions will be fruitful.
Go deeper: House prepares to pass revised COVID relief bill as White House talks hit roadblock
