US Congress passes $892bn in COVID relief measures
4 years ago

US Congress passes $892bn in COVID relief measures

Al Jazeera  

The bill provides $3.36bn for vaccine alliance GAVI, which issues the vaccines to people in low-income countries. The COVID-19 relief bill provides $284bn for loans to small business to keep workers employed and $166bn for $600 one-time payments to most US citizens among other measures. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the US Congress, called the bill “a first step” towards giving incoming President-elect Joe Biden the resources needed to “crush the virus”. The bill includes short term unemployment benefits, aid for the US airline industry, funding for vaccine distribution and help for urban and poor communities hit hardest by the virus. The COVID-19 bill draws $500bn of its total of $892bn in funding by repurposing money authorised by Congress in a $2.2 trillion bill passed in March.

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History of this topic

Congress moves to keep government afloat, provides $100 billion in disaster aid
1 week ago

Congress moves to keep government afloat, provides $100 billion in disaster aid

Firstpost  

The measure would prevent a partial government shutdown set to begin after midnight Friday. It would kick final decisions on this budget year’s spending levels to a new Republican-led Congress and President-elect Donald Trump Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., pauses as he enters a closed-door strategy session with fellow Republicans as they work on a final version of …

Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost
4 months ago

Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — On the heels of a summer wave of COVID-19 cases, Americans will be able to get free virus test kits mailed to their homes, starting in late September. U.S. households will be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests when the federal program reopens, according to the website, COVIDtests.gov. The announcement also comes as the …

US President Joe Biden to request more funding for new COVID-19 vaccine for Omicron variant
1 year, 3 months ago

US President Joe Biden to request more funding for new COVID-19 vaccine for Omicron variant

Firstpost  

Officials are already expecting updated COVID-19 vaccines that contain one version of the omicron strain, called XBB.1.5 President Joe Biden said Friday that he is planning to request more money from Congress to develop another new coronavirus vaccine, as scientists track new waves and hospitalizations rise, though not like before. Officials are already expecting updated COVID-19 vaccines that contain one …

President Joe Biden says he will request more funding for a new coronavirus vaccine
1 year, 3 months ago

President Joe Biden says he will request more funding for a new coronavirus vaccine

Associated Press  

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, California — President Joe Biden said Friday that he is planning to request more money from Congress to develop another new coronavirus vaccine, as scientists track new waves and hospitalizations rise, though not like before. “I signed off this morning on a proposal we have to present to the Congress a request for additional funding for a …

US govt awards $1.4 bln for development of new COVID...
1 year, 4 months ago

US govt awards $1.4 bln for development of new COVID...

Daily Mail  

The Biden Administration has allocated another $1.4billion to developing Covid treatments and vaccines – despite declaring the pandemic over months ago. The news comes as hospitalizations rise for the fifth week in a row, though they are still three times lower than this time last year. Hospitalizations across the US have risen for the fifth week in a row, but …

How raising the nation’s debt limit could reduce spending of some coronavirus relief funds
1 year, 7 months ago

How raising the nation’s debt limit could reduce spending of some coronavirus relief funds

Associated Press  

With the pandemic officially over, leftover coronavirus relief money for vaccines, public health initiatives and other programs has become a target as negotiators try to reach a budget deal to raise the nation’s debt limit. HOW MUCH IS AT STAKE The Congressional Budget Office estimates that halting the use of unobligated pandemic relief funds would result in a net spending …

Biden pushes for $1.6 billion to fund pandemic fraud measures
1 year, 9 months ago

Biden pushes for $1.6 billion to fund pandemic fraud measures

LA Times  

President Biden speaks to the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference this week in Baltimore. The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve more than $1.6 billion to help clean up the mess of fraud in the massive government COVID-19 pandemic relief programs. In a strategy announced Thursday, the administration called for money and more time to prosecute cases, to put …

President Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11
1 year, 10 months ago

President Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11

LA Times  

President Biden talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Monday, after returning from an event in Baltimore. Then-President Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar first declared a public health emergency on Jan. 31, 2020, and Trump later declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency that March. “An abrupt end to the …

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters
1 year, 11 months ago

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters

Associated Press  

— State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. The broadened spending authority for the previously approved pandemic aid was one of many of provisions wrapped …

Biden asks for over $37 billion in emergency Ukraine aid
2 years, 1 month ago

Biden asks for over $37 billion in emergency Ukraine aid

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is asking Congress to provide more than $37 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine, a massive infusion of cash that could help support the nation as Russian forces suffer battlefield losses in their nine-month-old invasion. “Together, with strong, bipartisan support in the Congress, we have provided significant assistance that has been critical to Ukraine’s success …

GOP Senators Push Back On COVID Funds Request After Biden Says 'Pandemic Is Over'
2 years, 3 months ago

GOP Senators Push Back On COVID Funds Request After Biden Says 'Pandemic Is Over'

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Senate Republicans expressed skepticism over whether COVID-19 funding is still necessary following President Joe Biden’s recent comments declaring the end of the pandemic. “Maybe that’s his approach to it, I’d have to ask him.” Earlier this month, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, told reporters “the pandemic is not over,” and said the administration …

GAVI financing to allow for immediate funds for next pandemic
2 years, 3 months ago

GAVI financing to allow for immediate funds for next pandemic

Live Mint  

Global vaccine alliance GAVI has set up financial instruments that will allow the group to immediately access pledged donor funding if it needs to buy vaccines for future pandemics, Chief Executive Seth Berkley told Reuters. Berkley said that in 2020 and 2021, GAVI was limited in its ability to buy COVID-19 vaccines because even though donors had committed $2.4 billion, …

In Biden’s big bill: Climate, health care, deficit reduction
2 years, 4 months ago

In Biden’s big bill: Climate, health care, deficit reduction

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The biggest investment ever in the U.S. to fight climate change. Republicans deride the 730-page bill as big government overreach and point particular criticism at its $80 billion investment in the IRS to hire new employees and go after tax scofflaws. Here’s what’s in the estimated $740 billion package — made up of $440 billion in new spending …

Cooper signs NC budget; COVID-19 emergency to end Aug. 15
2 years, 5 months ago

Cooper signs NC budget; COVID-19 emergency to end Aug. 15

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Republican-backed adjustments to North Carolina’s budget were signed into law by Democratic Gov. The signing marks the second year in a row that Cooper has accepted the GOP’s comprehensive state government spending plan after vetoing budget bills in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Cooper said the measure included “critical investments in education, economic development, transportation and the state …

White House says COVID-19 vaccines, treatments could be rationed without more funds
2 years, 7 months ago

White House says COVID-19 vaccines, treatments could be rationed without more funds

LA Times  

The White House is planning for “dire” contingencies that could include rationing supplies of vaccines and treatments this fall if Congress doesn’t approve more money for fighting COVID-19. “But we’re looking at all the scenarios and planning for all of them.” He said the administration was “getting much more into the scenario-planning business to make sure that we know what …

House passes COVID aid bill to help struggling restaurants
2 years, 8 months ago

House passes COVID aid bill to help struggling restaurants

LA Times  

The House on Thursday approved more than $40 billion in COVID-19 assistance for restaurant owners who tried but failed last year to receive help from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which quickly ran out of money. He said he applied for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund within three days of its launch and spent three weeks calling to check on the …

Bipartisan Senate bargainers reach $10-billion COVID agreement
2 years, 8 months ago

Bipartisan Senate bargainers reach $10-billion COVID agreement

LA Times  

Bipartisan Senate bargainers have agreed to a slimmed-down $10-billion package for countering COVID-19. Senate bargainers reached agreement Monday on a slimmed-down $10-billion package for countering COVID-19 with treatments, vaccines and other steps, the top Democratic and Republican negotiators said, but the measure dropped all funding to help nations abroad combat the pandemic. In a setback, he ended up settling for …

Senators reach $10 billion deal on COVID funds
2 years, 8 months ago

Senators reach $10 billion deal on COVID funds

NPR  

Senators reach $10 billion deal on COVID funds Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a $10 billion deal on another round of emergency pandemic funding requested by the Biden administration. "This $10 billion COVID package will give the federal government — and our citizens — the tools we need …

White House warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Congress doesn’t pass supplemental Covid funding
2 years, 9 months ago

White House warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Congress doesn’t pass supplemental Covid funding

CNN  

CNN — White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients on Monday renewed the Biden administration’s urgent call for Congress to pass pandemic supplemental funding or face “severe consequences.” His remarks came amid uncertainty for the legislative path forward for additional money for the federal government’s pandemic response. We sent Congress a targeted request for $22.5 billion to meet those urgent …

Under the hood of $1.5T bill for Ukraine, pandemic, agencies
2 years, 9 months ago

Under the hood of $1.5T bill for Ukraine, pandemic, agencies

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Even for Congress, the $1.5 trillion price tag for its bipartisan package helping Ukraine and financing federal agencies for the last half of this year is a lot of money. FOR UKRAINE, A BIG NUMBER The legislation, passed Wednesday by the House, would provide $13.6 billion to help Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion and to buttress NATO allies worried …

Biden’s $1.9-trillion relief plan: Major victory gets mixed one-year reviews
2 years, 9 months ago

Biden’s $1.9-trillion relief plan: Major victory gets mixed one-year reviews

LA Times  

President Biden speaks before signing the $1.9-trillion American Rescue Plan in the Oval Office on March 11, 2021. Friday was the anniversary of Biden’s signing of the American Rescue Plan, and the second anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration that COVID-19 had become a global pandemic. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she had no regrets about any inflation that the …

Highlights of Congress’ $1.5 trillion spending package
2 years, 9 months ago

Highlights of Congress’ $1.5 trillion spending package

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Congress is racing to pass a mammoth $1.5 trillion legislative package that would fund the government for the rest of the year and deliver badly needed humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Highlights from the more than 2,700-page legislation, which the House approved Wednesday night and the Senate was expected to pass in the days ahead: AIDING UKRAINE The legislation …

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6B, but outlook dim
2 years, 9 months ago

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6B, but outlook dim

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — This could be the end of the line for congressional funding to fight COVID-19. The end result Wednesday was a $15.6 billion package prepared by House Democrats that has almost no chance of passing in the evenly divided Senate, where Republicans have indicated they are unwilling to provide more money without cuts elsewhere or a full accounting from …

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6-billion plan, but outlook is dim
2 years, 9 months ago

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6-billion plan, but outlook is dim

LA Times  

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gives her weekly news conference Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the turn of events “heartbreaking.” The idea had been to add President Biden’s request for new virus aid to the massive $1.5-trillion spending bill, a must-pass measure needed by week’s end to keep the federal government operating through …

House approves $13.6 billion in Ukraine humanitarian and military aid
2 years, 9 months ago

House approves $13.6 billion in Ukraine humanitarian and military aid

LA Times  

The House on Wednesday approved a $1.5-trillion spending bill to keep the government’s doors open for the next six months as well as send $13.6 billion in humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. “We are becoming witness to one of the worst humanitarian crises we have seen in generations, which is why this bill provides $13.6 billion in humanitarian assistance, …

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds
2 years, 9 months ago

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will soon begin to run out of money to bolster COVID-19 testing supplies and to guarantee that uninsured Americans keep getting free treatment for the virus unless Congress swiftly approves more funding, the White House warned. This month, the White House warns, COVID-19 testing manufacturers will begin to slow production of at-home rapid tests unless the …

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds
2 years, 9 months ago

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will soon begin to run out of money to bolster COVID-19 testing supplies and to guarantee that uninsured Americans keep getting free treatment for the virus unless Congress swiftly approves more funding, the White House warned Friday. This month, the White House warns, COVID-19 testing manufacturers will begin to slow production of at-home rapid tests unless …

Biden seeks $10B for aid to Ukraine, $22.5B for coronavirus
2 years, 9 months ago

Biden seeks $10B for aid to Ukraine, $22.5B for coronavirus

Associated Press  

The Biden administration is seeking another $10 billion to help protect Ukraine against the Russian invasion and $22.5 billion more to cover pandemic-related expenses, two major additions to budget talks already underway. Young said the money would cover “additional humanitarian, security and economic assistance in Ukraine and the neighboring region in the coming days and weeks.” Last week, Biden administration …

AP sources: White House seeks another $30B for COVID battle
2 years, 10 months ago

AP sources: White House seeks another $30B for COVID battle

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is telling Congress that it needs an additional $30 billion to press ahead with the fight against COVID-19, officials said. Two people familiar with the administration’s plan confirmed key details on Tuesday: $17.9 billion for vaccines and treatments, $4.9 billion for testing, $3 billion to cover coronavirus care for uninsured people, and $3.7 billion to …

Wolf, Democrats outline proposal for $1.7B in pandemic funds
2 years, 10 months ago

Wolf, Democrats outline proposal for $1.7B in pandemic funds

Associated Press  

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s governor and his Democratic allies in the Legislature on Wednesday laid out a proposal to spend federal pandemic relief money on workers, environmental and climate change programs as well as a one-time property tax subsidy for lower-income homeowners and renters. House Republican leaders issued a statement that said Democratic spending proposals “were developed in a fiscal …

Newsom proposes $2.7 billion to expand COVID-19 response efforts
2 years, 11 months ago

Newsom proposes $2.7 billion to expand COVID-19 response efforts

LA Times  

California’s COVID-19 response would be boosted under Gov. California would spend $2.7 billion on new efforts to respond to the surge in COVID-19 cases, including additional testing capacity and assistance to hospitals, under a budget proposal Gov. “Our proposed COVID-19 Emergency Response Package will support our testing capacity, accelerate vaccination and booster efforts, support frontline workers and health care systems …

Treasury broadens COVID relief uses for states, localities
2 years, 11 months ago

Treasury broadens COVID relief uses for states, localities

Associated Press  

State and local governments will have greater flexibility to spend $350 billion of federal COVID-19 aid under new rules from President Joe Biden’s administration. The final U.S. Treasury Department rules come nearly 10 months after Biden signed the massive $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that included aid for state, local and tribal governments. “I think we’re going to see in …

US pledges $580m to international COVID fight amid Omicron spread
3 years ago

US pledges $580m to international COVID fight amid Omicron spread

Al Jazeera  

The announcement comes as the Biden administration released a raft of measures aimed at ramping up domestic response. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement on Tuesday, shortly before he said he is set to meet his counterparts from other countries to discuss global cooperation in responding to Omicron, which officials say has already become the dominant strain …

Lawmakers OK $55B budget bills; $7.5B in virus relief left
3 years, 3 months ago

Lawmakers OK $55B budget bills; $7.5B in virus relief left

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan lawmakers who finished passing the state budget Wednesday will next turn to allocating an unprecedented amount of federal COVID-19 rescue funding — money that largely is flexible and can be spent however the state decides. “I’m looking forward to additional infrastructure, education and water packages that we will be able to put together over the coming …

Unvaccinated Covid-19 patients cost $5.7 billion for treatment in the last 3 months, study estimates
3 years, 3 months ago

Unvaccinated Covid-19 patients cost $5.7 billion for treatment in the last 3 months, study estimates

CNN  

CNN — A new analysis published Tuesday estimates that preventable costs for treating hospitalized, unvaccinated Covid-19 patients reached $5.7 billion over the last three months. The data analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation found, using data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as studies on health care costs, that each preventable Covid-19 hospitalization costs about $20,000. …

Biden seeking additional funds for Ida relief and Afghans
3 years, 3 months ago

Biden seeking additional funds for Ida relief and Afghans

Associated Press  

The White House is asking Congress to approve an additional $24 billion in spending to handle the costs of Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters, as well as $6.4 billion for the resettlement of evacuees from Afghanistan to help with transportation, government processing and public health screenings. Shalanda Young, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, in a …

US announces USD 41 million additional COVID19 assistance to India
3 years, 5 months ago

US announces USD 41 million additional COVID19 assistance to India

India TV News  

The US has announced an additional USD 41 million assistance to help India respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen the country’s preparedness for the future health emergencies, taking the total aid to more than USD 200 million. USAID announced an additional USD 41 million in support to help India respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen the country’s preparedness …

US announces USD 41 million additional Covid-19 assistance to India
3 years, 5 months ago

US announces USD 41 million additional Covid-19 assistance to India

India Today  

The US has announced an additional USD 41 million assistance to help India respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen the country’s preparedness for future health emergencies, taking the total aid to more than USD 200 million. USAID announced an additional USD 41 million in support to help India respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen the country’s preparedness for …

Editorial: The infrastructure deal: Probably necessary, but not nearly sufficient
3 years, 6 months ago

Editorial: The infrastructure deal: Probably necessary, but not nearly sufficient

LA Times  

After weeks of negotiations, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate finally found a way to agree on a $579-billion increase in badly needed infrastructure spending: Stick almost exclusively to traditional road, bridge and rail projects, and find a bogus way to pay for them. By the White House’s estimate, the deal would provide about two-thirds of the roughly $900 billion …

US Announces Allocation Plan for 55 Million Covid Vaccine Doses
3 years, 6 months ago

US Announces Allocation Plan for 55 Million Covid Vaccine Doses

News 18  

The administration of US President Joe Biden on Monday announced its plan for the next tranche of 55 million Covid vaccine doses it plans to send to countries in need. The donation will complete Washington’s initial pledge of 80 million doses from its own vaccine supply, made ahead of a vow to buy 500 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for …

Who benefits? US debates fairest way to share spare vaccine
3 years, 6 months ago

Who benefits? US debates fairest way to share spare vaccine

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — In April, the Biden administration announced plans to share millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world by the end of June. “Our nation’s going to be the arsenal of vaccines for the rest of the world,” Biden said on May 17, when he announced the U.S. pledge to share more doses. He added that, compared to other …

Covid-19 | Serum’s supply to COVAX hit by India’s poor planning
3 years, 7 months ago

Covid-19 | Serum’s supply to COVAX hit by India’s poor planning

The Hindu  

On August 15, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said three COVID-19 vaccines are in different stages of testing and that India is “ready with a plan for production” and has a roadmap ready to distribute the vaccines to “every Indian in the least amount of time”. On August 7, a week before Mr. Modi’s announcement, the Pune-based Serum Institute signed …

India's COVID-19 crisis: US has provided over $500mn of relief aid till now, says White House
3 years, 7 months ago

India's COVID-19 crisis: US has provided over $500mn of relief aid till now, says White House

Firstpost  

Washington: The United States has so far provided over $500 million in COVID-19 assistance to India, the White House said on Wednesday, adding it would soon make a determination on distribution of the 80 million vaccines to other countries. “To date, the United States has provided over $500 million in COVID relief to India, including contributions from the US federal …

US Has Provided Over USD 500 Million in Covid Relief to India, Says White House
3 years, 7 months ago

US Has Provided Over USD 500 Million in Covid Relief to India, Says White House

News 18  

The US has so far provided over USD 500 million in Covid-19 assistance to India, the White House said on Wednesday, adding it would soon make a determination on distribution of the 80 million vaccines to other countries. “To date, the United States has provided over USD 500 million in Covid relief to India, including contributions from the US federal …

US Treasury launches $350BN in state, local COVID aid
3 years, 7 months ago

US Treasury launches $350BN in state, local COVID aid

Al Jazeera  

The funds can be used by state, local, tribal and territorial governments to offer aid to unemployed workers and hard-hit communities and premium pay to essential workers. The United States Department of the Treasury launched access to $350bn in COVID-19 aid for state, local, tribal and territorial governments on Monday, releasing rules for allowable uses and a prohibition on tax …

World to spend $157 billion on Covid-19 vaccines through 2025 : Report
3 years, 7 months ago

World to spend $157 billion on Covid-19 vaccines through 2025 : Report

India Today  

Total global spending on Covid-19 vaccines is projected to reach $157 billion by 2025, driven by mass vaccination programs underway and "booster shots" expected every two years, according to a report by U.S. health data company IQVIA Holdings Inc released on Thursday. Booster shots are likely to follow initial vaccinations every two years, the report said, based on current data …

Joe Biden to offer tax credits for COVID-19 vaccination paid time off
3 years, 8 months ago

Joe Biden to offer tax credits for COVID-19 vaccination paid time off

Live Mint  

President Joe Biden on Wednesday will announce tax credits to businesses that provide paid time off for some people to get COVID-19 shots as he seeks to get corporate America more involved in the vaccination campaign, officials said. Biden administration officials said the government plans to reimburse businesses for the cost of giving workers as many as 80 hours paid …

The COVID-19 Relief Program Comes With A Big Asterisk
3 years, 9 months ago

The COVID-19 Relief Program Comes With A Big Asterisk

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, the federal government is now spending $1.9 trillion to fight COVID-19 and to help the public get through the pandemic. President Joe Biden signs the American Rescue Act bill into law in the Oval Office of the White House on March 11 in Washington, D.C. Doug Mills-Pool via Getty Images Public …

IRS says new round of COVID relief payments on the way
3 years, 9 months ago

IRS says new round of COVID relief payments on the way

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Along with daylight saving time, this weekend could bring some Americans fatter bank balances. “The payments will be delivered automatically to taxpayers even as the IRS continues delivering regular tax refunds,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement. Then-President Donald Trump called the payments in the $900 billion relief bill passed in December too small and Biden …

Coronavirus stimulus payments from $US1.9 trillion Biden relief package to hit US bank accounts this weekend
3 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus stimulus payments from $US1.9 trillion Biden relief package to hit US bank accounts this weekend

ABC  

Americans will see the first direct deposits from President Joe Biden's $US1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package hit their bank accounts this weekend, according to Treasury and Internal Revenue Service officials. Key points: The stimulus payments will help 160 million US households A family of four will receive up to $7,200 in stimulus payments Coronavirus kills an average of 1,400 Americans …

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