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Congress Close to Agreement on $908B COVID-19 Relief Bill Congressional leaders close to agreement on a $900 billion COVID-19 aid package. The bill will most likely include more funds for small businesses, vaccine distribution, health care workers and education needs. The bill will not include the controversial liability protection for businesses but will be including $90 billion in relief for local governments which will be distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With government funding set to expire, Congress has until midnight on Saturday to pass the relief package. Check out Poligon’s COVID-19 Policy Update Center for more details.

Legislative Updates

Close to Agreement on Bill to Keep Government Open Congressional leaders are close to finalizing agreements on a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package, which will fund the government through next September. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD-3) and Senator Richard Shelby (R-AK) are willing to vote on another short-term extension of government funding to prevent a shutdown at the end of the week.

Bill to Overhaul Guest Worker Program Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) introduced the Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act. This bill creates a framework for the H-2B temporary guest worker visa program to prevent discrimination, elevate labor standards, end captive employment, respect family units, and afford immigrant workers a path to citizenship.

Bill to Repeal the PATRIOT Act Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI-02) and Thomas Massie (R-KY-04) introduced H.R.8970, the Protect Our Civil Liberties Act. The bill removes provisions that undermine Americans’ civil liberties by repealing the USA PATRIOT Act and amending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Lawmakers in Calling on President-Elect Biden to End Death Penalty on First Day in Office Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) led 41 lawmakers on a letter calling on President-Elect Joe Biden to end the use of the federal death penalty on his first day in office. The letter is due to the Trump Administration executing more people in six months compared to the total number executed over the previous six decades.

Senate Hearing on Election Security and Administration The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on election security and administration issues.

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