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S. 4537 116th Congress Senate

RECOVERY Act

Official title: A bill to provide for economic recovery, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 8, 2020 Introduced by: Ted Cruz Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 8, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sep 8, 2020
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 8, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Reinvigorating the Economy, Creating Opportunity for every Vocation, Employer, Retiree & Youth Act or the RECOVERY Act

This bill revises provisions in the tax code; modifies the liability of employers, public officials, and other entities; makes various changes to help schools, employers, and industries respond to COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019); and otherwise addresses economic growth. It also modifies congressional oversight of regulations, including by requiring approval for certain rules.

Among other things, the bill establishes and expands various tax credits, deductions, and exclusions from income for individuals and businesses and temporarily suspends payroll taxes.

Additionally, the bill limits the liability, under some conditions, of employers, health care providers, and other entities for COVID-19 exposures. It also imposes liability on public officials with authority to direct law enforcement agencies for losses that occur in areas that a law enforcement agency has been instructed not to access during riots.

Furthermore, it revises multiple COVID-19 response activities, including by restricting eligibility for unemployment compensation, extending particular business loans and payroll support programs, and establishing sunset dates for spending COVID-19 funds. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Education to use a specified percentage of COVID-19 funds to support certain scholarship-granting organizations.

It also establishes an alternate approval process for coronavirus drugs and other medical products approved for sale in another country; expands interstate telehealth access; and makes other changes to health insurance plans, health savings accounts, and retirement accounts.

The bill also creates tax incentives and other programs to support mining, petroleum, pharmaceutical, aviation, and other industries.

 Related & companion bills 40
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 4537: RECOVERY Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4537/
MLA
"S. 4537: RECOVERY Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4537/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 4537, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4537/.
Markdown link
[S. 4537: RECOVERY Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4537/)
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