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Washington, DC -- Today Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted to pass a bipartisan compromise package that delivers emergency relief to Virginia families and small businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Included in the package is also a $1.4 trillion deal to fund the government through September.

"The American people have been waiting months for relief, and today Congress did our job to help Virginia families and small businesses who are hurting," said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. "This deal is far from enough, but it is the product of bipartisan compromise and includes many of the priorities I've been fighting for since the spring -- including enhanced unemployment benefits, aid for the hardest-hit small businesses, and a federal rental assistance program. There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines on the way, but this pandemic is not behind us yet and more work will need to be done to see our community through to the other side of this crisis. I will continue working across the aisle to support those who are struggling and ensure a full and strong recovery."

The bipartisan compromise relief deal includes many provisions that Congresswoman Wexton has fought months to pass. The legislation includes:

• $325 billion in aid for the hardest-hit small businesses including $284 billion for another round of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans and other dedicated set-asides for small community-based lenders;
• Additional $300 weekly federal enhanced unemployment benefits through March 14, 2021 and an extension of eligibility for the self-employed, independent contractors, and gig workers;
• $25 billion in the first-ever emergency federal rent assistance program and a continuation of the federal eviction moratorium; 
• $69 billion for the public health response, including $29 billion for vaccine procurement and distribution; 
• $13 billion for a 15% increase in SNAP and child nutrition benefits;
• $600 direct payments for adults and children;
• $82 billion for schools and colleges and an additional $10 billion for child care assistance;
• $45 billion for transportation including a continuation of the Payroll Support Program for airline workers, $14 billion for transit including Metro, and support for airports; 
• $7 billion to increase access to broadband including $3.2 billion in emergency funds to help low-income families access broadband;
• Providing federal agencies with the authority to keep contractors on payroll during the pandemic for those who are temporarily unable to work due to facility closures or other restrictions; and
• Extension of the availability of federal relief funds provided to states and localities until December 31, 2021.

The package also includes an omnibus deal to fund the government through September 2021 which will make strong investments in our schools, expand access to housing through new targeted vouchers to reduce homelessness, tackle food insecurity by fully funding SNAP, child nutrition programs, and WIC, and more. It includes a landmark bipartisan deal to end surprise medical billing. That provision establishes a fair process for health care providers and health plans to sort out out-of-network costs, protecting patients from surprise expenses.

A section-by-section summary of the COVID relief deal can be found here.

A section-by-section summary of the omnibus funding bill can be found here.

A section-by-section summary of other authorizations included in the package can be found here.

The full text of the package can be found here.

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