Okay, let’s break down the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,” focusing on the information that it was published on govinfo.gov as a Statute Compilation on April 18, 2025, at 12:57.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: A Deep Dive
The “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” was a monumental piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress in December 2020 and signed into law. Its primary function was to fund the federal government for the fiscal year 2021. However, it was much more than just a funding bill. It was a sprawling package that included a second major COVID-19 relief bill, and extensions for numerous expiring tax provisions.
What is an Appropriations Act?
Think of the federal government like a giant household. It needs money to operate – to pay employees, fund programs, build infrastructure, defend the nation, and much more. An “appropriations act” is essentially the federal government’s budget. Congress decides how much money each department, agency, and program will receive for a given fiscal year (which runs from October 1st to September 30th).
Because Congress had missed the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2020, they passed temporary continuing resolutions that extended the end date. Finally, the act was passed in December 2020 providing a budget for the fiscal year 2021.
Why “Consolidated”?
The word “consolidated” is key. Instead of passing individual appropriations bills for each part of the government, Congress often combines them into one massive “omnibus” bill. This makes the legislative process more efficient (though some argue it also makes it less transparent). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 bundled together all twelve regular appropriations bills that fund various government departments and agencies.
Key Components of the Act (Besides Funding the Government):
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COVID-19 Relief (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021): This was a significant part of the package. It provided billions of dollars in aid to individuals, businesses, healthcare providers, and state and local governments struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key provisions included:
- Direct Payments to Individuals: A second round of stimulus checks (typically $600 per eligible adult and child).
- Unemployment Benefits: Extended and enhanced unemployment benefits for those who lost their jobs.
- Small Business Relief: Additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help small businesses keep their employees on the payroll.
- Rental Assistance: Emergency rental assistance to help people avoid eviction.
- Funding for Vaccine Distribution and Testing: Money to support the development, distribution, and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as expanded testing capacity.
- Education Funding: Aid to schools and universities to help them reopen safely and address learning loss.
- Child Care Funding: To help families afford childcare.
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Other Provisions: The act contained a wide array of other provisions on diverse topics, frequently inserted as part of the large legislative deal.
The Significance of govinfo.gov and Statute Compilations:
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govinfo.gov: This is the official website of the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO). It provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government. It’s a reliable source for legal and regulatory information.
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Statute Compilation: This is a specific type of publication available on govinfo.gov. After a law is passed, the GPO compiles the original text of the law and integrates it with previously existing statutes. It’s like a more organized and updated version of the law, reflecting all the changes that have been made over time. This contrasts with the “slip law,” which is the initial version of the law as it was originally passed. A Statute Compilation is useful because it presents the most current version of the law in a single, easily accessible document.
The Publication Date: April 18, 2025, at 12:57 PM
The fact that the Statute Compilation was published on govinfo.gov on April 18, 2025, at 12:57 PM is important for several reasons:
- Official Record: It establishes a clear date and time when the official compiled version of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, became publicly available. This is crucial for legal and historical purposes.
- Up-to-Date Information: It indicates that the Statute Compilation available on govinfo.gov as of that date reflects all amendments, changes, or updates made to the original act up to that point. In other words, it should be the most current and accurate version of the law accessible through that platform.
- Late Publication: The act was initially signed into law in December 2020. It would be expected that the Statute Compilation would have been created and published long before 2025. The fact that it was not published until 2025 is unusual and raises questions about the reasons for the delay, but this is purely speculative.
Why is the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Important?
- Economic Impact: The COVID-19 relief provisions had a substantial impact on the U.S. economy, providing a lifeline to individuals, families, and businesses during a period of unprecedented economic hardship.
- Government Functioning: It ensured the continued operation of the federal government by providing funding for essential services and programs.
- Policy Significance: The act addressed numerous policy issues beyond appropriations, including healthcare, education, energy, and the environment.
- Precedent: Omnibus spending bills like this one are a common feature of the U.S. legislative process, highlighting the challenges and complexities of governing in a highly partisan environment.
In conclusion:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was a massive piece of legislation that had a significant impact on the United States. The fact that a Statute Compilation of this act was published on govinfo.gov on April 18, 2025, at 12:57 PM provides a timestamp for the availability of the most current and accurate version of the law for public access. Understanding the act’s key components and its context within the broader U.S. legal framework is essential for anyone interested in government, economics, and public policy.
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-04-18 12:57, ‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021’ was published according to Statute Compilations. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner.
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