Public Law

Following the Senate’s passage of the American Rescue Plan by a razor-thin margin on Saturday, March 6, 2021, the House of Representatives approved the final version of the new stimulus package on March 10, 2021, despite multiple attempts to delay. The economic relief package has been highly contested since its introduction and highlights the continued divide between the political parties. President Joe Biden praised the Senate’s passage of the legislation as a “giant step forward” while other Republican leaders criticized the $1.9 trillion package, including Senator Ron Johnson, who called it a “boondoggle for Democrats.” In any case, the stimulus package will provide, what many people believe to be, long overdue and much needed assistance to the American people and businesses. The following provides a summary of various relevant provisions of the new legislation and what individuals, educational entities, and state and local governments can expect. Read more…

Following the U.S. Senate’s passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan on March 6, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the final version of the new stimulus package on March 10. President Biden signed the stimulus package into law on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

As part of the American Rescue Plan, Congress approved a $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which will provide federal grants to eligible foodservice and drinking establishments like restaurants, bars, caterers, breweries, taprooms, and tasting rooms. The RRF will be administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer held a press conference with members of the Independent Restaurant Coalition and high-profile restaurant owners on March 10, in which the Democratic senator from New York stated he will “urge the SBA to stand up for relief and set up the program as soon as the bill is signed into law,” and that first they have to confirm President Biden’s nominee for Deputy Administrator of the SBA, Dilawar Syed. Read more…

Congressional lawmakers finally reached an agreement on a new $900 billion COVID-19 relief package during the evening of December 20. The feuding parties were forced to resume negotiations due to the looming expiration of several existing COVID-19 aid measures and a threatened government shutdown. Both Congressional chambers officially passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act on December 21, as part of the overarching $1.4 trillion spending package that will keep the government funded until September 2021. Read more…