The general contours of the COVID relief package being considered by the incoming Biden Administration are emerging. While we have not yet seen the details, it appears that the larger proposal, totaling approximately $2 trillion, includes $1,400 checks for those who are slated to receive $600 from the relief bill signed into law in December as well as $400 per week in unemployment benefits.
In addition, the Biden proposal seeks a total of $170 billion in education, the vast majority of which would go to K-12. The plan would allocate $35 billion for public higher education and public and private HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions. In addition, $5 billion would be directed to governors for use at their discretion.
The plan also calls for the reinstatement of emergency paid sick leave for employees that was created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in last spring but which expired at the end of 2020. The Biden proposal would reimburse state and local governments for providing such paid leave. On the child care front, the incoming administration calls for a $25 billion emergency stabilization fund.
With respect to vaccinations, the plan calls for $20 billion, which would be used to help coordinate efforts at various levels of government.
An outline of the package is available here. We will provide additional information as further details continue to emerge.