After months of inaction, Congress finally passed a $900 billion relief package and a $1.4 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September. The stimulus package included $600 direct payments to individuals and families, enhanced unemployment benefits, small business aid and funding for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Regarding the medical supply chain, the pandemic relief bill also contains a provision requiring the HHS Secretary to “report to the Committees on Appropriations on the current inventory of ventilators and personal protective equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile.”
While President Trump threatened to veto the legislation on Dec. 24 with a demand to more than triple the $600 direct payments to $2,000 and with criticism over some provisions that provided foreign aid, he abruptly signed the bill on Dec. 27.