Key Takeaways from the HEALS Act Proposal

In May, the House passed a COVID-19 relief bill, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (Heroes) Act (H.R. 6800). The bill is estimated to cost about $3.5 trillion. Rather than take it up, Senate Republicans have released their own legislation, the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act, which totals about $1 trillion. Along with the Heroes Act, the HEALS Act is providing the basis for negotiations among the House, Senate, and administration. The legislation includes the following components:

• SAFE TO WORK Act
• American Workers, Families, and Employers Assistance Act
• Supporting America's Restaurant Workers Act
• Coronavirus Response Additional Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020
• Continuing Small Business Recovery and Paycheck Protection Program Act
• Safely Back to School and Back to Work Act
• TRUST Act of 2020
• Restoring Critical Supply Chains and Intellectual Property Act

This brief highlights key components of the HEALS Act. Unless specified otherwise, text references pertain to the supplemental appropriations act. Table 1 at the end of the brief lists grant funding proposed in the two bills, plus funding provided in previously enacted legislation.