he U.S. Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic relief bill last night that includes $600 stimulus payments to qualifying individuals and a new round of Paycheck Protection Program funding for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Although it took months to reach an agreement on a second relief bill, funds in the bill for transportation and small business loans could aid construction, Stephen Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, said in a statement. Sandherr pointed to $10 billion in funding addressing the shortfalls from state transportation revenue brought on by the pandemic. That funding should keep many road projects safe from cancellation and delays for a few months, he said, and includes new funding for waterways and ports. The legislation also ensures tax deductibility for business expenses paid with forgiven PPP loans, something many contractors had been concerned about for months.
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