Economic Justice Act
Latest action (18 Dec 2020): Introduced
What this bill does
This bill, S. 5065, is a broad legislative package that would authorize more than $435 billion in federal spending across a wide range of programs, framed by its sponsor as promoting "economic justice." It combines pandemic-response measures with longer-term investments, including a Child Care Stabilization Fund to help child care providers stay open; expanded funding for community health centers, hospitals, and health workforce training; job-training and youth employment programs; support for small businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses, through SBA and CDFI programs; infrastructure investments in broadband, school and library facilities, HBCUs and tribal colleges, and water and clean-air programs; a first-time homebuyer tax credit and expanded renters' and low-income housing tax credits; increased Medicaid funding tied to expanded eligibility, including for pregnant individuals; anti-poverty targeting for persistent-poverty counties; and an increase in the federal minimum wage along with changes to overtime pay rules.
The bill would affect a wide range of groups, including child care providers and families, patients and health care workers, students and job seekers, small and minority-owned businesses, homebuyers and renters, Medicaid beneficiaries, pregnant individuals, residents of high-poverty areas, and hourly and salaried workers affected by minimum wage and overtime provisions. State, tribal, and local governments would also receive funding and administrative responsibilities under many of these provisions.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 18, 2020, by Senator Chuck Schumer along with 25 cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Economic Justice Act
This bill provides emergency funding to address economic disparities and the impact of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in communities, particularly with respect to low-income and minority populations.
Among other programs, the bill provides funding for child care, health services, job training, family support services, small businesses, and housing, as well as for hospital, school, and broadband infrastructure. The bill also includes provisions that raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, incentivize Medicaid expansion, establish a tax credit for first-time homebuyers, and institute clean water and air programs.
Common questions
- What does S. 5065 do?
- This bill, S. 5065, is a broad legislative package that would authorize more than $435 billion in federal spending across a wide range of programs, framed by its sponsor as promoting "economic justice." It combines pandemic-response measures with longer-term investments, including a Child Care Stabilization Fund to help child care providers stay open; expanded funding for community health centers, hospitals, and health workforce training; job-training and youth employment programs; support for small businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses, through SBA and CDFI programs; infrastructure investments in broadband, school and library facilities, HBCUs and tribal colleges, and water and clean-air programs; a first-time homebuyer tax credit and expanded renters' and low-income housing tax credits; increased Medicaid funding tied to expanded eligibility, including for pregnant individuals; anti-poverty targeting for persistent-poverty counties; and an increase in the federal minimum wage along with changes to overtime pay rules. The bill would affect a wide range of groups, including child care providers and families, patients and health care workers, students and job seekers, small and minority-owned businesses, homebuyers and renters, Medicaid beneficiaries, pregnant individuals, residents of high-poverty areas, and hourly and salaried workers affected by minimum wage and overtime provisions. State, tribal, and local governments would also receive funding and administrative responsibilities under many of these provisions. The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 18, 2020, by Senator Chuck Schumer along with 25 cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
- Has S. 5065 become law?
- Not yet. As of 18 Dec 2020, S. 5065 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5065?
- S. 5065 was sponsored by Sen. Charles “Chuck” Schumer [D-NY] (Democrat-NY), with 25 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5065?
- Introduced (18 Dec 2020).
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