Hi everyone, Quick update from CEF regarding COVID-relief and FY21 appropriations: COVID-relief package – Last night a bipartisan group of Senators released two bills that together comprise a $908 billion COVID-relief package. The Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 provides $748 billion for a variety of programs (including education) and extends some relief programs from the CARES Act (including a moratorium on repayment of federal student loans through April 1). A second bill has $160 billion in state and local relief and liability protections for employers for coronavirus-related lawsuits. Because there wasn’t agreement on the issues in the second bill, it was split off and may not be brought up this congressional session. It’s possible the that the first bill would be attached to an omnibus FY2021 appropriations package that may be released today and that the giant package could be voted on tomorrow or Thursday. While the goal is to wrap up voting in time for the President to sign the package by Friday (when government funding expires), it’s possible that Congress will need to extend funding a few more days to finalize this package. Congress is likely to stay in session pro-forma throughout December so that the President cannot pocket veto the National Defense Authorization Act. Please see the attached files for more details on the packages mentioned above. Summary on the Education funding in the Emergency COVID Relief Act – The bill models its education funding in the CARES Act. It provides $82 billion for an Education Stabilization Fund, breaking out portions for K-12 education, higher education, and a governors’ fund. The higher education fund sets aside $2 billion for minority-serving institutions and HBCUS, and the governors’ fund sets aside $2.5 billion for private schools. The bill also has funding for childcare and for broadband connectivity and devices for remote learning. The education funding is more than the $30.75 billion in the CARES Act, but far less than in either the House-passed Heroes Act or the Senate Republican proposed HEALS Act. Please see the attached files for more details on the packages mentioned above. Thanks, Michele MICHELE DIECUCH | Senior Director of Programs Pronouns: She, Her, Hers ________________________________ ProLiteracy<http://www.proliteracy.org/> | 101 Wyoming St. | Syracuse, NY 13204 p 315.214.2576 | f 315.422.6369 | mdiecuch@proliteracy.org<mailto:mdiecuch@proliteracy.org> Find us and follow us on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/ProLiteracy/59618669707> and Twitter<http://twitter.com/#!/ProLitWorld>. Help ProLiteracy advance the cause of adult literacy.<http://www.proliteracy.org/give> [2020-11-PL-EmailSignatures-Advocacy-1042 (003)]<https://www.proliteracy.org/What-We-Do/Advocacy>