Simpson Supports COVID Relief and Omnibus Funding
Press Release
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the Senate Amendment to H.R. 133, the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Package, that will fund the government through Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and provide COVID relief for Americans. This critical legislation marks the conclusion of several months of negotiations and passed the House of Representatives in two sections, the first with a vote of 327-85, and the second with a vote of 359-53. The bill is also expected to pass in the Senate, and President Trump said he will sign the legislation as soon as it arrives on his desk.
"I am relieved that a deal has been reached to help Idaho families and small business during this uncertain time," said Congressman Mike Simpson. "This bill builds on the extraordinary success of Operation Warp Speed to help get vaccines to all Americans, provides stimulus checks to individuals and families, and enhances the Paycheck Protection Program to help Idaho's many small businesses. It also completes Congress' appropriations work for Fiscal Year 2021, and it includes many important provisions for Idaho that I have fought for in my work on the Appropriations Committee."
Bill highlights include:
COVID Relief:
Stimulus checks -- $600 for both adults and dependents in households with an income below $75,000.
Extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and adds deductibility for PPP expenses.
Gives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan.
Includes 501(c)(6) organizations.
Includes funds for the purchase and distribution of coronavirus vaccines.
Extends unemployment programs to provide an additional $300 per week for ten weeks.
Enhances support for farmers and agriculture under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) program.
Omnibus:
Completes the FY2021 appropriations process under previously agreed to budget caps.
Provides our military with resources to protect and defend U.S. national security, including a 3% pay raise for troops.
Assists Border Patrol Agents by providing $20 million for new border processing coordinators.
Provides the Trump Administration flexibility to manage security needs along the southern border, including the authority to transfer funds for the border wall.
Preserves pro-life protections, such as the Hyde Amendment, that already exist in current law.
Continues current prohibitions on closing GITMO and transferring detainees.
INL and Energy:
Includes $306 million to maintain and upgrade INL facilities, including $26 million for construction of the Sample Preparation Laboratory.
$250 million for the Office of Nuclear Energy's Advanced Reactors Demonstration Program, including $30 million for the National Reactor Innovation Center.$115 million for the Advanced Small Modular Reactor program.
$433.5 million for cleanup activities associated with the Idaho Cleanup Project.
Agriculture and Natural Resources:
Full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for fiscal year 2021.
$2.8 million is provided for Potato Research within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Special Research Grants.
$22 million is provided for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, including $20 million for existing initiatives and $2 million for new initiatives.
Funding for the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station at same level as 2020.
Continues a general provision prohibiting the listing of greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act.
$3.5 million in Fish and Wildlife Service to control invasive quagga mussels.
Upholds the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.
Education
$1.5 billion in Impact Aid funding for the Department of Education.
$1.1 billion for Federal TRIO Programs in the Department of Education.
For a complete list of programs go online here.
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