HR-10515 : Still Just a Bill

The American Relief Act, 2025 (H.R. 10515) is a comprehensive bill addressing several key areas:

• Government Funding (Division A): It extends funding for federal government operations through March 14, 2025, preventing a government shutdown. This division modifies funding levels for specific programs and provides additional emergency appropriations for agencies including the Departments of Defense, Justice, Energy, and Commerce.
• Disaster Relief (Division B): It provides substantial emergency supplemental appropriations for recovery from recent natural disasters, primarily those occurring in 2023 and 2024. Funding is directed towards:
  • Agricultural assistance for crop and livestock losses.
  • Economic development and infrastructure repair in affected areas.
  • Repair of federal facilities (military bases, national parks, VA facilities, etc.).
  • Watershed, flood control, and coastal protection projects.
  • Support for small businesses and communities through SBA loans and HUD community development grants.
  • Replenishing the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund.
  • Repair and reconstruction costs related to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
• Health Programs (Division C): It extends funding and authorities for various public health, Medicare, Medicaid, and human services programs, generally through March 31, 2025. Key extensions include:
  • Community health centers, National Health Service Corps, and special diabetes programs.
  • Several Medicare payment provisions (low-volume hospitals, Medicare-dependent hospitals, ambulance services).
  • Medicare telehealth flexibilities established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Authority for acute hospital care at home programs.
  • Delays scheduled cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments.
• Agricultural Programs (Division D): It extends authorities provided under the 2018 Farm Bill, generally through September 30, 2025. This continues commodity support programs, conservation initiatives, trade programs, rural development, research, and bioenergy programs for an additional year.
• Other Matters (Division E): This division includes several unrelated provisions:
  • Short-term extensions for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) whistleblower program, authority to counter drone threats, Crime Victims Fund assessments, cybersecurity system authorization, and the temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances.
  • A significant extension of the suspension of the federal debt limit until January 29, 2027.

Most of the funding provided in Divisions A and B is designated as emergency spending.