COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021
This bill extends existing provisions that provide relief to debtors in bankruptcy, including those related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
These provisions (1) exclude certain COVID-19 aid payments from income for the purposes of bankruptcy, and (2) increase the debt eligibility threshold for businesses qualifying for certain types of Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy. Currently, these provisions expire March 27, 2021. The bill extends these provisions for one year.
The bill also allows for modification of a Chapter 13 repayment plan for plans confirmed before the date of enactment of this bill if the debtor is experiencing material financial hardship due to COVID-19. Currently, such a modification is only available for plans confirmed before March 27, 2020.
In addition, the bill extends through March 27, 2022, other bankruptcy protections that currently expire December 27, 2021. These provisions include those that (1) provide for discharge of certain debts, (2) prohibit denying a party COVID-related mortgage or eviction relief due to a party being a debtor in bankruptcy, and (3) protect against termination of utility services in certain circumstances.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-03-27 | President | Became Public Law No: 117-5. | Library of Congress |
| 2021-03-27 | President | Signed by President. | Library of Congress |
| 2021-03-26 | Floor | Presented to President. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-26 | ResolvingDifferences | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-26 | ResolvingDifferences | On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H1687) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-26 | ResolvingDifferences | Without objection, the Chair laid before the House H.R. 1651 along with the Senate amendment thereto. (consideration: CR H1687) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-25 | Floor | Message on Senate action sent to the House. | Senate |
| 2021-03-24 | Floor | Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. | Senate |
| 2021-03-24 | Floor | Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1779) | Senate |
| 2021-03-18 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate, read twice. | Senate |
| 2021-03-17 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-17 | Vote | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 14 (Roll no. 88). (text: 3/16/2021 CR H1389) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-17 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1480-1481) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-16 | Floor | At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-16 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1651. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-16 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1389-1390) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-16 | Floor | Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-08 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-08 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |