Congress unveils $2.3 trillion government spending and virus relief package
By Niv Elis - 12/21/20 02:40 PM EST
Congress unveiled a $2.3 trillion spending package Monday just hours before its expected passage in both chambers, funding the government though the end of the fiscal year and providing relief to a coronavirus-battered economy.
The package includes a $1.4 trillion omnibus bill based on a 2019 spending deal, which consists of $740.5 billion in defense spending and $664.5 billion for domestic programs.
It also includes a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill, which congressional leaders agreed to over the weekend.
The combined $2.3 trillion package is among the largest spending bills ever considered by Congress and follows the $2.2 trillion CARES Act passed in late March.
While the COVID-19 relief bill focuses on extending unemployment, providing stimulus checks and boosting small businesses, the omnibus includes a broader set of policy issues, such as transportation, agriculture, health, homeland security and foreign operations.
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https://thehill.com/policy/finance/531164-congress-unveils-23-trillion-government-spending-and-virus-relief-package
