Monday, December 21, 2020

Information about the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package and the AEMI's shared COVID-19-related priorities

 Hi everyone,


As you have likely seen, later today (and probably into the early hours of tomorrow), Congress will vote on a large bill that combines an omnibus spending package for the remainder of FY 2021 and another round of COVID-19 relief.  The bill is expected to pass and be signed into law. 

This Google Doc briefly summarizes which AEMI priorities are included in the COVID-19 relief portion of the bill: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qtGId72dcG8tNXMGKuChoyYooNfcbJtL6pFmbaHPh_4/edit?usp=sharing

In addition, while not explicitly an AEMI priority, the bill extends the national eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021, and includes $25 billion for rental assistance to families facing eviction.

Highlights from the omnibus portion of the bill include:
  • $167.5 mil in FY 2021 funding for NEA and NEH 
  • $475 mil in FY 2021 funding for CPB (and an additional $20 mil for network upgrades)
  • $26.4 million in FY 2021 operating funds and $14 million in capital expansion funds for the Kennedy Center
  • Felony streaming loophole fix
  • CASE Act

A full summary of the omnibus is attached.

Best, 
Michael