- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WASHINGTON — After months of delay, the 116th Congress on Monday night passed a $908 billion Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
The coronavirus relief package is about a third less than what was proposed by House Democrats. Many Democrats say this relief package does not provide enough funding to a nation hurt severely because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 relief package passed last night extends unemployment benefits through the early spring, and provides support for small businesses, schools, healthcare, nutrition, rental assistance, childcare, broadband, the Postal Service, as well as funding to help distribute Covid-19 vaccines.
The key component for the average American is direct stimulus payments of $600 to individuals who earned up to $75,000 in 2019 or less than $150,000 per couple. So, a family of four will receive $2,400. Those individuals who earned more than $75,000 and up to $99,000 would have a reduced stimulus check. Individuals who made more than $99,000 are ineligible for the stimulus program.
According to the Treasury Department, the checks could be sent out as early as next week.
It will also extend federal unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week, among other measures.
The relief package includes an additional $1 billion for Indian Health Service to assist tribal communities throughout Indian Country.
“Arizona’s tribal communities have been hit especially hard by the pandemic and battled it with too little help from the federal government. Through work across the aisle with Senator Murkowski and others, we were able to ensure that there is dedicated funding for tribal health care, education, broadband, and other needed relief to continue fighting this pandemic,” newly elected Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) said.
The relief package included broadband assistance for Indian Country, as mentioned by Kelly.
“This legislation that we’re going to be voting on includes $7 billion dollars for more broadband priorities; $1 billion dollars for connectivity issues for Tribal country,” Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said in speech on the Senate floor prior to Monday night’s vote.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story. With the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act being almost 5,600 pages, a more thorough examination of its implications to Indian Country is underway. Additional information will be provided as it becomes a available.
More Stories Like This
Biden Nominates Salish & Kootenai Tribal Attorney Danna Jackson for Federal BenchA Conversation With Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan: What We Can Celebrate Around the State
Return to the Heart Foundation Gives 44 Micro-Grants to Native Women Leaders
Indigenous Journalists Association President Addresses Members of the UNPFII
Inter-Tribal Council Passes Resolution Urging FCC to Establish Specific Event Code for Missing and Endangered Persons
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
