CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Intergovernmental Relations Committee
FROM: Jeff Coyle, Director of Government & Public Affairs
SUBJECT: Federal Legislative Update
DATE: March 5, 2021
At the Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting on March 10, 2021, the City's Government & Public Affairs Department will provide a report on the status of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. The legislation would be the fifth package in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
American Rescue Plan:
The House passed the American Rescue Plan on February 27th with a 219-212 vote. This action sent the relief package to the Senate for further consideration. The House bill includes $350 billion for state and local governments, with $130 billion evenly split between municipalities and counties. The House version of the bill allows these funds to be used for lost revenue replacement with no deadline to expend the funds.
The House bill included a provision raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, however, this provision is not expected to be in the Senate's final version of the bill. The Senate parliamentarian ruled that a bill using the budget reconciliation process could not include an increase to the federal minimum wage.
This week the Senate has initiated negotiations on the bill, where some changes to the bill are expected. Following passage of the bill in the Senate, it will move back to the House for final passage. The House Leadership's goal is to have the bill signed by President Biden by March 14, when the enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire.
Community Project Funding in FY22 Appropriations:
Last week, House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro announced that the House will accept Member requests for Community Project Funding, previously known as earmarks, in appropriations bills for FY22. Members will be able to request funding for State or local governments and for certain nonp...
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