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The Federal Omnibus Bill was passed by both chambers of Congress earlier this week and it contains a number of items related to COVID relief as well as general governmental spending. The president could sign the legislation or veto it and prompt a government shutdown -- or something in between. As of this writing, President Trump has objected to various items and negotiations are ongoing. The bill as approved by the House and Senate on Tuesday included the following COVID-relief items: • Unemployment Insurance - $120 Billion - Includes enhanced benefits through 3/14/21 • Direct Payments - $166 Billion - Includes one-time payments of $600 to individual • Small Business - $325 Billion - Would extend PPP to 3/31/21 • EIDL Grant Program - $20 Billion • Extended SBA Debt Relief Payments - $3.5 Billion • Enhancements of SBA Lending Programs - $2 Billion • Coronavirus Relief Fund Extension • Contractor Pay Extension • CARES Act Lending Facilities & Lending Authority • Tax Provisions • And MORE Click here to read a summary provided by our colleagues at the Finishing Contractors Association. Also, after several heated rounds of negotiations and with continued legislative efforts by those in the construction industry, included in the FY21 Omnibus Appropriations / COVID-19 Package is the Prohibition of Reverse Auctions in Construction Legislation (click here to read more). This means that the federal government cannot award construction contracts by using reverse auctions. Again, heavy negotiations are still taking place, so we're not sure at this time where things will shake out. The document provided by FCA can be used as a general guidance on the various points - it appears the stalling points are all related to dollars. ECA will continue to provide updates as we receive them.