On Monday, the leaders of Congress finally revealed the text of the coronavirus stimulus package.
The bill is 5,593 pages long, which means it is fundamentally impossible for any member of Congress to read the legislation before voting on it tonight.
“Let’s assume the vote will take place at 8 p.m. in the House of Representatives. Legislators could technically read the Covid discharge / collective bill at an approximate rate of around 4 seconds per page,” reported HuffPost correspondent Tara Golshan. “Basically read Infinite Jest five times and then several in six hours.”
Here are seven shocking facts about the legislation that have been discovered so far.
Five sides to reincarnation
From page 5099 of the invoice’s PDF file, the invoice contains five pages on which it is specified who will be recognized as the next reincarnation of the Dalia Lama.
The language of reincarnation was discovered by Lisa Desjardins of PBS News.
Applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is becoming more difficult.
Unemployed people looking for PUAs must submit documents within 21 days.
David Dayen, editor-in-chief of The Prospect, says the new rule is “an effective tax on people’s time.
I was afraid of that. Like much of the year, the relief comes with unnecessary administrative burdens, an effective tax on people’s time. https://t.co/QImPv75NMD
– David Dayen (@ddayen) December 21, 2020
Racehorse owners received a tax break
While Americans only get up to $ 600 in direct financial aid, racehorse owners get a tax break.
The tax break was noticed by Lee Fang of The Intercept.
The so-called “three-martini lunch” tax deduction, which companies use to deduct the cost of food and beverages, exists. pic.twitter.com/lOFLc6iYv8
– Lee Fang (@lhfang) December 21, 2020
If you own a multi-family rental property, i.e. a residential building, the coronavirus stimulus legislation provides for a retroactive tax break for you. Pic.twitter.com/ATllvyM2cU
– Lee Fang (@lhfang) December 21, 2020
Two new museums will be established
One of the little things about the bill is that it will allow two new museums.
CNN reporter Lauren Fox noted that the bill will create a new American Museum of Women’s History and a National Museum of American Latino.
Fun Fact: This omni-stimulus includes the creation of TWO new Smithsonian museums. American Museum of Women’s History and National Museum of American Latino.
– Lauren Fox (@FoxReports) December 21, 2020
The new eviction moratorium only lasts five weeks
Despite the impending eviction crisis, the new draft law only extends protection until the end of January.
The length of the eviction moratorium was noted by Elizabeth Landers of Vice News.
As expected, the federal eviction moratorium will be extended in this latest auxiliary law – but only until January 31st pic.twitter.com/GZibP9oJ2E
– Elizabeth Landers (@ElizLanders) December 21, 2020
Stimulus Bill decriminalizes the unauthorized use of Smokey the Bear
The Department of Agriculture’s propaganda icon, Smokey the Bear, has also been included in legislation to combat the coronavirus economic crisis.
The legislative language was reported by Erik Wasson of Bloomberg News.
Bill decriminalizes the unauthorized use of the Swiss coat of arms or of Smokey the Bear
– Erik Wasson (@elwasson) December 21, 2020
Stimulus includes “three martini” lunch deductions for businesses
While Americans wait in breadcrumbs, large corporations received the “three martini” tax cut promoted by Donald Trump, as reported by Jeff Stein of the Washington Post.
And there it is – as we reported last night, business meals with tax deduction are included in the coverage package for both 2021 and 2022
(h / t @ @GlenBirnbaum) https://t.co/iwOYO67opr pic.twitter.com/IJ53QKuhU8
– Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) December 21, 2020
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