The House of Representatives is expected to vote on February 26 on the “American Rescue Plan,” a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that includes over $40 billion in housing and homelessness resources. The plan is based on the parameters of President Biden’s coronavirus relief proposal.
After completing voting on the bill’s various provisions (see Memo, 2/16), the nine House authorizing committees will pass their sections to the House Budget Committee on February 22 to be compiled into one legislative package. The bill will then be sent to the House Rules Committee, which is charged with ensuring the package is aligned with reconciliation rules and limitations. Reconciliation rules state the bill’s total cost cannot exceed the $1.9 trillion outlined in the 2021 budget resolution, but estimates from the Congressional Budget Office indicate the bill’s current price tag sits at $1.95 trillion. House Democrats will likely seek spending offsets to bring the cost of the package back down. The bill will then go to the House floor for a vote.
After the bill passes the House, it is expected to move quickly through the Senate, skipping committee votes and going directly to the Senate floor. Once received, senators will have up to 20 hours to debate the bill, during which the senators will be able to propose amendments to the bill before taking a final vote. House and Senate leaders aim to have a final bill sent to President Biden by March 14.