COVID-19 Policy Update- April 23, 2020

House Passes $484 Billion Relief Package

Today, the House of Representatives passed a $484 billion economic relief package in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266). The bill passed by a vote of 388-5 with one vote “present.”

House members traveled back to Washington for today's vote, meeting this afternoon to approve the Phase 3.5 package, as well as a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis designed to provide oversight of the Administration's distribution of the funds appropriated by Congress in the various relief bills.

While the House also contemplated using today's vote to permit proxy voting during the pandemic, those plans were ultimately scrapped. For now, the chamber plans to vote in small groups to reduce infection risks, directing members to go to the floor in 10-minute blocks, in groups, in alphabetical order.