In response to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, Congress passed and President Trump signed a massive $2 trillion stimulus package to help Americans hurt economically.

Trump and lawmakers said the 880-page bill was a response to the financial damage caused by the forced closures of businesses and the resulting loss of jobs and income.

“Every aspect of our communities is being affected by this crisis, and it’s critical that Congress provide much-needed support and assistance in this unprecedented time of need,” said U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma. “Every American is called to stop this pandemic by taking action to slow the spread of the virus for 15 days. This comes at a great consequence to many American workers and small businesses. This bill is targeted at the heart of our Oklahoma economy—small businesses, the workers they employ, and the families they serve.

“Our nation and our state are resilient. We know what it means to work together to get through difficult times.”

Here is what the bill does:

• $150 billion in emergency funding for state and local governments, including at least $1.25 billion for Oklahoma. 
• Direct checks to adult individuals for $1,200, $2,400 for married couples, and an additional $500 for dependents. After a $75,000 threshold for individuals, the benefit would be reduced by $5 for each $100 the taxpayer makes. A similar $150,000 threshold applies to couples, and a $112,500 threshold for heads of households. It will use 2019 tax returns, if available, or 2018 tax returns to assess income for determining how much direct financial aid individuals receive. Those who did not file tax returns can use a Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement or Form RRB-1099, a Social Security Equivalent Benefit Statement.
• Four months of increased unemployment insurance to Americans who lose their jobs in response to the crisis. 
• $117 billion for hospitals, senior living centers, and veterans’ health care.
• $11 bill for vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other preparation needs. 
• $4.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, $16 billion for the Strategic National Preparation Stockpile. 
• $45 bill for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund. 
• $30 billion for education for K-12 and higher education. $1.8 billion to refund student loan payments.
• Support for small business and nonprofits through a $367 billion loan to grant program that pays the payroll while employees are out of work. The loan of up to $10 million will be forgiven if used for payroll, utilities, or lease payments.
• Clarifies that all testing for COVID-19 is to be covered by private insurance plans without cost sharing.
• Makes available loans from the Treasury for passenger and cargo air carriers and for businesses critical to national security. Passenger airlines would receive $25 billion for workers’ “salaries and benefits,” plus up to $25 billion more in loan guarantees and loans. Contract workers would also receive $3 billion in help. Airlines would have to agree not to furlough workers until at least the end of September.
• Includes charitable giving dedication of $300, which Lankford advocated for. Lankford offered an amendment that would have increased the limit to one-third the standard dedication ($4,000 for individuals and $8,000 for married couples). The amendment was supported by over 3,200 nonprofit organizations nation-wide.  
• Three-month extension, which Lankford introduced last week, of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards regulatory program on high-risk chemical facilities. The program was set to expire on April 18, 2020.
• Payments will be made “as rapidly as possible” and no later than Dec. 31, 2020. They will be made via direct deposit to an account that the person has authorized for tax refunds or federal payments on or after Jan. 1, 2018.

Notice will be sent to the person’s last known address within 15 days of informing them of the method and amount.