This post was originally published on this site
Democrats are scrambling to pass a $1.9 trillion economic aid package proposed by President Joe Biden to offset the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the reasons they are in a rush is the mid-March expiration of several provisions in the December stimulus package that help unemployed workers. But those are not the only deadlines in the bill.
In the past, so-called policy “cliffs” have driven lawmakers to act and likely will again. Here are a few of the more significant deadlines facing Washington:
Feb. 28 :
- Expiration of eviction moratorium (originally Jan. 31, changed by Federal Housing Finance Agency).
March 14:
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (benefits for gig workers, self-employed and independent contractors) ends for most receiving it;
- $300 weekly federal unemployment add-on payment ends;
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Assistance (state opt-in for up to 13 weeks of extra federally funded benefits) ends for most recipients;
- Expiration of full federal funding for extended benefits in high jobless states.
March 31:
- Paycheck Protection Program loan authority expires;
- Prohibition on laying workers off, buying back stock or paying dividends for air carriers and air contractors that took federal aid ends;
- Expiration of refundable tax credits for family or sick leave made available under the pre-CARES Families First Coronavirus Response Act;
- Delay of Medicare payment reduction due to sequestration ends.
June 30:
- Increase of 15% in SNAP benefit levels ends.
Sept. 30:
- Earliest date on which the Biden administration has said suspension of student loan interest and principal payments could end.
Sources: House Appropriations Committee, Department of Labor, Department of Education
