# American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Summary and Legislative History

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3AR40537

## Record

- **Collection:** Congressional research report
- **Document type:** CRS Report
- **Published:** April 20, 2009
- **Citation:** R40537

## Text

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (P.L. 111-5): Summary and Legislative
History
(name redacted)
Analyst in Government Organization and Management
(name redacted)
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
(name redacted)
Section Research Manager
(name redacted)
Analyst in Domestic Security
(name redacted)
Specialist in Social Policy
April 20, 2009

Congressional Research Service
7-....
www.crs.gov
R40537

CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Summary
President Barack Obama signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
of 2009, into law on February 17, 2009, as P.L. 111-5 (123 Stat. 115-521). The act is seen as one
of the most significant legislative responses made thus far to the current economic turmoil. This
report provides a summary and legislative history of ARRA and identifies other resources that
provide additional information regarding its content and implementation.
ARRA is a relatively lengthy and complex act, amounting to just over 400 pages (in slip law
form) and melding together hundreds of billions of dollars in discretionary spending, mandatory
spending, and revenue provisions encompassing the jurisdiction of several House and Senate
committees. The act consists of two major divisions. Division A (Appropriations Provisions)
includes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 (and later fiscal years) covering by separate
titles all 12 of the regular appropriations acts, as well as four additional titles dealing with health
information technology, a state fiscal stabilization fund, accountability and transparency, and
general provisions. Division B (Tax, Unemployment, Health, State Fiscal Relief, and Other
Provisions) consists of seven separate titles. Division A includes the discretionary spending
provisions, but some significant substantive provisions as well; Division B includes the
mandatory spending and revenue provisions, with some exceptions.
ARRA provides almost $800 billion through extensive discretionary spending, mandatory
spending, and revenue provisions that the Administration estimates will save or create some 3.5
million jobs. Funding is provided for existing and some new programs in the 15 Cabinet-level
departments and 11 independent agencies. Some of the funds are distributed to states, localities,
other entities, and individuals through a combination of formula and competitive grants and direct
assistance. In addition to new spending and tax provisions, new policies are created regarding
unemployment compensation, health insurance, health information technology, broadband
communications, and energy, among others.
Numerous oversight, accountability, and transparency provisions are contained in the act. They
include various reporting requirements and funding for offices of inspector general, the
Government Accountability Office, and a newly established Recovery Accountability and
Transparency Board.
With regard to its specific impact on the budget, the act is estimated by the Congressional Budget
Office to increase the deficit by $787.2 billion over the 11-year period covering FY2009-FY2019.
The estimated deficit impact reflects spending increases of $575.3 billion (in outlays) and revenue
reductions of $211.8 billion. The total spending increases consist of $311.2 billion in
discretionary new budget authority (yielding $308.3 billion in outlays) and $269.5 billion in
mandatory new budget authority (yielding $267.0 billion in outlays).
About 21% of total outlays ($120.1 billion) under ARRA are estimated to occur by the end of
FY2009. By the end of FY2010, 59% of total outlays ($339.4 billion) are expected to occur, and
by the end of FY2011, 81% of total outlays ($465.6 billion) are expected to occur. Revenue
reductions occur more quickly, with reductions of $64.8 billion in FY2009 and $180.1 billion in
FY2010, offset somewhat in later years by modest revenue increases.
This report will not be updated.

Congressional Research Service

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Contents
Background...................................................................................................................................... 1
Legislative History........................................................................................................................... 2
Earlier Action on Stimulus Legislation...................................................................................... 2
Action on ARRA in 2009 .......................................................................................................... 3
Overview of the Act......................................................................................................................... 6
Summary of Discretionary Spending Provisions........................................................................... 12
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies (Division A, Title I) .............................................................................................. 14
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (Division A, Title II).............................. 15
Department of Defense (Division A, Title III)......................................................................... 16
Energy and Water Development (Division A, Title IV) .......................................................... 16
Financial Services and General Government (Division A, Title V) ........................................ 17
Department of Homeland Security (Division A, Title VI)....................................................... 18
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies (Division A, Title VII) ..................................... 18
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related
Agencies (Division A, Title VIII) and State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (Division A,
Title XIV) ............................................................................................................................. 19
Legislative Branch (Division A, Title IX) ............................................................................... 21
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (Division A, Title
X).......................................................................................................................................... 22
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (Division A, Title XI) ............................... 22
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (Division A,
Title XII)............................................................................................................................... 23
Summary of Mandatory Spending Provisions ............................................................................... 29
Trade Adjustment Assistance (Division B, Title I, Part I) ....................................................... 29
Unemployment Compensation (Division B, Title II, Subtitle A) ............................................ 30
TANF and Child Support Enforcement (Division B, Title II, Subtitle B) ............................... 31
Economic Recovery Payments (Division B, Title II, Subtitle C) ............................................ 32
Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits (Division B, Title III)........................................... 32
Health Information Technology (Division B, Title IV) (Division A, Title XIII) ..................... 33
Medicare and Medicaid Payments .................................................................................... 33
Office of the National Coordinator, Standards and Privacy .............................................. 34
State Fiscal Relief (Division B, Title V).................................................................................. 35
Other Provisions (Division B, Titles VI and VII) .................................................................... 35
Summary of Tax and Public Finance Provisions ........................................................................... 36
Individual Income Tax Relief (Division B, Title I, Subtitle A) ............................................... 36
Energy Tax Incentives (Division B, Title I, Subtitle B)........................................................... 38
Tax Incentives for Business (Division B, Title I, Subtitle C) .................................................. 40
Manufacturing Recovery Provisions (Division B, Title I, Subtitle D) .................................... 41
Economic Recovery Tools (Division B, Title I, Subtitle E) .................................................... 41
Infrastructure Financing Tools (Division B, Title I, Subtitle F) .............................................. 42
Other Provisions (Division B, Title I, Subtitle G) ................................................................... 44
Summary of General Oversight Provisions ................................................................................... 46
Additional Resources..................................................................................................................... 47

Congressional Research Service

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Tables
Table 1. Summary of the Budgetary Impact of the ARRA of 2009: FY2009-FY2019 ................... 7
Table 2. Estimated Cumulative Outlay Impact of the ARRA of 2009: FY2009-FY2019 ............... 8
Table 3. ARRA of 2009: Contents Listing and Page References................................................... 10
Table 4. Total Discretionary Budget Authority for Fiscal Years 2009-2019, by Title
(Division A – Appropriations Provisions)................................................................................... 13
Table 5. Total Discretionary Budget Authority for Fiscal Years 2009-2019, by
Department/Agency and Title (Division A– Appropriations Provisions) ................................... 25
Table 6. Total Discretionary Budget Authority for Fiscal Years 2009-2019, Ranked In
Descending Order by Department/Agency (Division A – Appropriations Provisions) .............. 27
Table 7. Total Revenue and Mandatory Spending Changes for Fiscal Years 2009-2019, by
Division and Title ....................................................................................................................... 44

Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 48
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 48

Congressional Research Service

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

P

resident Barack Obama signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) of 2009, into law on February 17, 2009, as P.L. 111-5 (123 Stat. 115-521). This
report provides a summary and legislative history of ARRA and identifies other resources
that provide additional information regarding its content and implementation.

Background
For well over a year, the economy of the United States has been in significant distress. The
Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research, whose
determinations regarding the timing of recessions are widely accepted, announced on December
1, 2008, that the economy had entered recession in December 2007.1 The recession deepened
substantially during 2008 and there is considerable uncertainty regarding how long it will last.
The federal government has responded (and continues to respond) to the economic situation by
employing many different tools, encompassing both monetary policy, conducted by the Federal
Reserve, and budgetary policy, under existing law and new legislation. With respect to new
legislative activity, Congress and the President initially responded with the Economic Stimulus
Act of 2008, which President George W. Bush signed into law on February 13, 2008 (P.L. 110185). The act, which consisted mainly of “recovery rebates” for individuals and investment
incentives for businesses, reduced revenues by $152 billion in FY2008 and $16 billion in
FY2009.2
As the economic crisis worsened, Congress and the President enacted additional legislative
responses, including extensions of unemployment compensation and the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act (EESA) of 2008 (Division A of P.L. 110-343), which President Bush signed into
law on October 3, 2008.3 The EESA created the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), which
authorized the Treasury Department to buy up to $700 billion in troubled assets from financial
institutions.4
Toward the end of the 110th Congress, congressional attention turned to action on a supplemental
appropriations act as another legislative response to the economic situation. The House passed
such a measure, the Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 (H.R. 7110), on
September 26, 2008. President Bush threatened to veto the bill, and the Senate did not consider
comparable legislation before the session ended.
In 2009, at the beginning of the 111th Congress, President Barack Obama and congressional
leaders made action on an economic recovery bill a top priority. The legislative vehicle, it was
1
National Bureau of Economic Research, Determination of the December 2007 Peak in Economic Activity, Dec. 1,
2008 (revised Dec. 11, 2008 version available at http://www.nber.org/cycles/dec2008.html).
2
Joint Committee on Taxation, Estimated Budget Effects Of The “Economic Stimulus Act Of 2008,” As Passed By The
House Of Representatives And The Senate On February 7, 2008, JCX-17-08, Feb. 8, 2008.
3
The act consisted of three components: Division A, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008; Division B,
the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008; and Division C, the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax
Relief Act of 2008. For an extensive discussion of legislative action relating to economic stimulus issues, see CRS
Report R40104, Economic Stimulus: Issues and Policies, by (name redacted), (name redacted), and (name
redacted).
4
For additional information on the TARP program, see CRS Report RL34730, Troubled Asset Relief Program:
Legislation and Treasury Implementation, by (name redacted) and (name redacted).

Congressional Research Service

1

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

determined, would be a supplemental appropriations act with substantial mandatory spending and
revenue components.
The supplemental appropriations act addressing economic recovery is one of three major
appropriations acts for FY2009 considered by Congress thus far (at least one additional
appropriations act, providing supplemental appropriations for overseas military operations and
other purposes, is expected to be considered during the session). On September 30, 2008, the
Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 110329) was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Three of the 12 regular appropriations
acts for FY2009 were funded by the act for the full fiscal year, and continuing appropriations
were provided through March 6, 2009, for activities covered by the nine remaining appropriations
acts.5 Consideration of an omnibus appropriations measure addressing the status of the nine
remaining appropriations acts for the remainder of FY2009 was postponed until action on the
supplemental appropriations measure pertaining to economic recovery (ARRA) was completed.
Following the enactment of ARRA on February 17, 2009, the House and Senate then finished
consideration of the FY2009 regular appropriations acts in the form of a single, omnibus
measure; President Obama signed H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, into law on
March 11, 2009, as P.L. 111-8.6

Legislative History
House and Senate action on ARRA occurred relatively quickly in the opening weeks of the 111th
Congress, from the introduction of legislation in late January 2009 to its enactment into law
several weeks later. The House passed the bill on January 28, the Senate passed it on February 10,
and both chambers agreed to the conference report on February 13.

Earlier Action on Stimulus Legislation
The quick action on ARRA in 2009 was aided in part by the development of similar legislation
(although much smaller in scope) during the previous session, as the 110th Congress drew to a
close.
On September 26, 2008, the House passed an economic stimulus bill, the Job Creation and
Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 (H.R. 7110), by a vote of 264-158. On the same day, the
Senate rejected a motion to proceed to the consideration of a similar measure, the Economic
Recovery Act, 2008 (S. 3604), by a vote of 52-42 (under a unanimous consent agreement, the
motion required 60 votes to be successful). These measures, which originated in the
Appropriations Committees, entailed appropriations of roughly $60 billion for such matters as
infrastructure projects, energy development, unemployment compensation, job training, and
Medicaid and food stamps assistance.
During two lame-duck sessions, held between November 17 and December 11, 2008, an
expanded economic stimulus proposal, the Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (S. 3689), was
5

For additional information on the act, see CRS Report RL34711, Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2009 (P.L.
110-329): An Overview, by (name redacted).
6
Further continuing appropriations were provided from March 6 through March 11, 2009, by P.L. 111-6.

Congressional Research Service

2

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Robert C. Byrd, the then-chairman
of the Appropriations Committee. According to the sponsors, the measure provided $100.3 billion
in infrastructure spending and a wide range of other stimulus and recovery activities. The 110th
Congress ended without the House or Senate taking any further action on economic stimulus
legislation.

Action on ARRA in 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. 1, was introduced on January 26,
2009, by Representative David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. The
measure was an amalgamation of separate legislative components approved by several House
committees:
•

H.R. 598, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, a measure
containing revenue and other provisions, was marked up by the House Ways and
Means Committee on January 22 and approved by voice vote (H.Rept. 111-8,
Part I (January 27, 2009) and Part II (January 28, 2009)). The bill also was
referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Education and Labor
Committee, Financial Services Committee, and Science and Technology
Committee, but they were discharged from further consideration of the measure;

•

H.R. 629, the Energy and Commerce Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a measure
containing broadband communications, energy, and health-related provisions,
was marked up by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on January 22
and approved by unanimous consent (H.Rept. 111-7, Part I; January 26, 2009).
The bill also was referred to the House Education and Labor Committee, Science
and Technology Committee, and Ways and Means Committee, but they were
discharged from further consideration of the measure; and

•

H.R. 679, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a measure
containing the appropriations-related provisions, was marked up by the House
Appropriations Committee on January 21 and approved by a vote of 35-22
(H.Rept. 111-4; January 26, 2009).

The House began consideration of H.R. 1 on January 27, under the terms of a special rule, H.Res.
88, reported by the House Rules Committee. In initial action, the House agreed to a “question of
consideration,” by a vote of 224-199; this action was necessitated by a requirement in Clause
10(c)(3) of House Rule XXI (the “PAYGO Rule”) that the question of consideration be approved
before consideration can occur on a measure including a waiver of the PAYGO rule.7
On January 28, the House adopted a second special rule, H.Res. 92, which made several changes
to the underlying bill automatically under a “self-executing” feature and prohibited the offering of
further amendments except for 11 specified ones.8 According to the Rules Committee, the selfexecuting amendment changed provisions in the bill dealing with state certification of the intent
to request and use funds provided in the act; the COPS program; the renovation and preservation
7

For more information on PAYGO requirements, see CRS Report RL34300, Pay-As-You-Go Procedures for Budget
Enforcement, by (name redacted).
8
In the report on H.Res. 92 (H.Rept. 111-9; Jan. 27, 2009), the self-executing amendment was presented in Part A and
the other 11 amendments were presented in Part B.

Congressional Research Service

3

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

of buildings on Historically Black Colleges and Universities campuses; funding for the National
Mall Revitalization Fund; and family planning. The House then accepted eight of the 11
amendments (offered by Representatives Oberstar, Markey, Shuster, Nadler, Waters, Kissell,
Platts, and Teague) and rejected the other three (offered by Representatives Neugebauer, Flake,
and Camp), as well as a motion to recommit with instructions offered by Representative Jerry
Lewis, the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, by a vote of 159-270.
The House passed H.R. 1 on January 28, as amended, by a vote of 244-188.
Senate consideration of H.R. 1 occurred over eight days, beginning on February 2 and concluding
on February 10 (the Senate was not in session on Sunday, February 8). The first amendment
offered to the bill, Reid (for Inouye and Baucus) amendment 98, was a substitute amendment
incorporating legislative proposals that had been approved previously by the Senate
Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee:
•

S. 336, a measure containing the appropriations-related provisions, was marked
up by the Senate Appropriations Committee on January 27 and approved by a
vote of 21-9 (S.Rept. 111-3; January 27, 2009); and

•

S. 350, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a measure
containing the revenue provisions, was marked up by the Senate Finance
Committee on January 27 and approved by a vote of 14-9 (no written report).

The Senate considered 42 amendments, adopting 22 and rejecting 13; seven were withdrawn. The
final resolution of issues was addressed by Reid (for Collins and Nelson (NE)) amendment 570,
which was a substitute for the entire bill. On February 9, cloture was invoked on the amendment,
by a vote of 61-36. The next day, following a successful waiver of enforcement procedures under
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, by a vote of 61-37, Senate amendment 570 was adopted.
The Senate passed H.R. 1 on February 10, as amended, by a vote of 61-37.
On February 10, the House and Senate agreed to hold a conference on the bill and appointed
conferees (Senators Inouye, Baucus, Reid, Cochran, and Grassley for the Senate, and
Representatives Obey, Rangel, Waxman, Lewis (CA), and Camp for the House). The House
agreed that day, by a vote of 403-0, to a motion to instruct conferees, offered by Representative
Lewis (CA). The motion moved
to instruct the managers on the part of the House that they shall not record their approval of
the final conference agreement (as such term is used in clause 12(a)(4) of rule XXII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives) unless the text of such agreement has been available
to the managers in an electronic, searchable, and downloadable form for at least 48 hours
prior to the time described in such clause.9

While the House-passed and Senate-passed versions of H.R. 1 were roughly comparable in scope,
significant differences in the two versions had to be resolved. According to the Congressional
Budget Office, the House-passed version would have increased the deficit by nearly $820 billion
over FY2009-FY2019 (reflecting $359 billion in discretionary outlay increases, $279 billion in
mandatory outlay increases, and $182 billion in revenue reduction), while the Senate-passed
version would have increased the deficit by about $838 billion for the same period (reflecting
9

See the Congressional Record (daily ed.), Feb. 10, 2009, p. H1096.

Congressional Research Service

4

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

$287 billion in discretionary outlay increases, $259 billion in mandatory outlay increases, and
$292 billion in revenue reduction). Thus, the net increase in the deficit over FY2009-FY2019 was
about $19 billion higher in the Senate version compared to the House version:
The Senate-passed version includes $72 billion less in spending from discretionary
appropriations in Division A (mostly the result of less funding for education, including the
proposed State Stabilization Fund) and about $20 billion less in direct spending in Division
B. Those spending decreases would be more than offset by revenue reductions in Division B
totaling about $110 billion (mostly because the Senate-passed version would raise the
exemption amount allowed against an individual’s income for the alternative minimum tax
for tax year 2009).10

The conference report on H.R. 1 (H.Rept. 111-16) was filed on February 12. The conferees
developed compromise levels between the House and Senate positions on each major component
($308 billion in discretionary outlay increases, $267 billion in mandatory outlay increases, and
$211 in revenue reduction) in a way that lessened the overall impact of the bill on the deficit to
$787 billion, well below the House and Senate levels (see Table 1 in the next section).
On February 13, the House took up the conference report after agreeing to the question of
consideration required by the PAYGO rule, by a vote of 232-195. Consideration of the conference
report occurred pursuant to the terms of a special rule, H.Res. 168. Following the defeat of a
motion to recommit with instructions offered by Representative Miller (MI), by a vote of 186244, the House agreed to the conference report, by a vote of 246-183.
Later on February 13, the Senate considered the conference report. By identical votes of 60-38,
the Senate waived enforcement procedures under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and then
agreed to the conference report.
President Obama signed H.R. 1 into law on February 17, 2009, as P.L. 111-5.11

10

Congressional Budget Office, Letter to the Honorable Harry Reid (transmitting a cost estimate for the bill as passed
by the Senate on February 10, 2009), Feb. 11, 2009, p. 1, available on the CBO website at
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99xx/doc9984/hr1senatepassed.pdf.
11
See “Remarks by the President and Vice President at Signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,”
Feb. 17, 2009, available on the White House website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-thePresident-and-Vice-President-at-Signing-of-the-American-Recovery-and-Reinvestment-Act/.

Congressional Research Service

5

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Overview of the Act
ARRA is a relatively lengthy and complex act, amounting to just over 400 pages (in slip law
form) and melding together hundreds of billions of dollars in discretionary spending, mandatory
spending, and revenue provisions encompassing the jurisdiction of several House and Senate
committees. Discretionary spending is provided in, and controlled by, annual appropriations acts
under the jurisdiction of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Spending in this
category typically funds the routine operations of federal agencies and many grant programs.
Mandatory spending (sometimes referred to as direct spending) generally is provided in, and
controlled by, substantive legislation under the jurisdiction of the various authorizing committees
in the House and Senate. Mandatory spending, for the most part, funds entitlement programs such
as Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment compensation.12 Revenue laws are under the
jurisdiction of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
ARRA provides almost $800 billion through extensive discretionary spending, mandatory
spending, and revenue provisions that the Administration estimates will save or create some 3.5
million jobs. Funding is provided for existing and some new programs in the 15 Cabinet-level
departments and 11 independent agencies. Some of the funds are distributed to states, localities,
other entities, and individuals through a combination of formula and competitive grants and direct
assistance. In addition to new spending and tax provisions, new policies are created regarding
unemployment compensation, health insurance, health information technology, broadband
communications, and energy, among others.
With regard to its specific impact on the budget, the act is expected to increase the deficit by
$787.2 billion over the 11-year period covering FY2009-FY2019; the cost estimate prepared by
the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is presented in Table 1. The estimated deficit impact
reflects spending increases of $575.3 billion (in outlays) and revenue reductions of $211.8
billion.13
The total spending increases consist of $311.2 billion in discretionary new budget authority
(yielding $308.3 billion in outlays) and $269.5 billion in mandatory new budget authority
(yielding $267.0 billion in outlays).14
Table 2 provides information on the rate at which spending under the act is expected to occur.

12
Some mandatory programs, such as Medicaid and veterans’ compensation, do not have their own funding
mechanisms and rely on annual appropriations; the level of spending for such programs effectively is determined by the
substantive law.
13
The Joint Committee on Taxation prepared an estimate of the revenue impact of the act, Estimated Budget Effects of
the Revenue Provisions Contained in the Conference Agreement for H.R. 1, the “American Recovery and Reinvestment
Tax Act of 2009,” JCX-19-09, Feb. 12, 2009. As indicated in footnote 3 of the estimate, the “net change” is
considerably greater than the revenue changes shown in the CBO cost estimate because the net change incorporates
more than $100 billion in related outlay increases (e.g., increases from expanded refundable tax credits).
14
According to the CBO cost estimate, the discretionary spending totals (under Division A of the act) include about
$29 billion in mandatory spending increases and $0.1 billion in revenue reductions over FY2009-FY2019.

Congressional Research Service

6

Table 1. Summary of the Budgetary Impact of the ARRA of 2009: FY2009-FY2019
(amounts in billions of dollars)
2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

20092019

2019

Discretionary Spending
(Division A)
Estimated Budget Authority

288.7

7.1

4.6

3.6

2.5

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

0.5

0.0

311.2

Estimated Outlays

34.8

110.7

76.3

38.1

22.9

12.8

7.0

3.1

1.6

0.8

0.1

308.3

Estimated Budget Authority

90.3

107.6

49.0

7.6

7.3

15.1

4.7

-4.7

-4.1

-1.9

-1.4

269.5

Estimated Outlays

85.3

108.6

49.9

8.1

7.4

15.1

4.7

-4.7

-4.1

-1.9

-1.4

267.0

-64.8

-180.1

-8.2

10.0

2.7

5.5

7.1

5.8

5.1

5.0

0.1

-211.8

184.9

399.4

134.4

36.1

27.6

22.4

4.7

-7.3

-7.5

-6.1

-1.4

787.2

Mandatory Spending
(Division B)

Revenues
(Division B)
Estimated Revenues
Net Impact on the Deficit
Net Increase or Decrease (-)

Sources: Congressional Budget Office, Letter to the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Table 1 (Summary of Estimated Cost of the Conference Agreement for H.R. 1, The American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as Posted on the website of the House Committee on Rules), Feb. 13, 2009, available on the CBO website at http://www.cbo.gov/
ftpdocs/99xx/doc9989/hr1conference.pdf.
Notes: ARRA refers to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5). The net impact on the deficit reflects estimated outlays and revenues.
Components may not sum to totals because of rounding. The totals for Division A include about $29 billion in mandatory spending increases and $0.1 billion in revenue
reductions over FY2009-FY2019.

CRS-7

Table 2. Estimated Cumulative Outlay Impact of the ARRA of 2009: FY2009-FY2019
(amounts in billions of dollars)
2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Discretionary Spending (Division A)
Cumulative Outlay Impact

34.8

145.5

221.8

259.9

282.8

295.6

302.6

305.7

307.3

308.1

308.3

Cumulative Outlay Impact as
a Percentage of Total Division
A Outlays

11.3%

47.2%

71.9%

84.3%

91.7%

95.9%

98.2%

99.2%

99.7%

99.9%

100.0%

Cumulative Outlay Impact

85.3

193.9

243.8

251.9

259.3

274.4

279.1

274.4

270.3

268.4

267.0

Cumulative Outlay Impact as
a Percentage of Total Division
B Outlays

31.9%

72.6%

91.3%

94.3%

97.1%

102.8%

104.5%

102.8%

101.2%

100.5%

100.0%

Mandatory Spending (Division B)

Total Discretionary and Mandatory Spending
Cumulative Outlay Impact

120.1

339.4

465.6

511.8

542.1

570.0

581.7

580.1

577.6

576.5

575.3

Cumulative Outlay Impact as
a Percentage of Total Division
A and Division B Outlays

20.9%

59.0%

80.9%

89.0%

94.2%

99.1%

101.1%

100.9%

100.4%

100.2%

100.0%

Sources: Prepared by the Congressional Research Service from data provided in: Congressional Budget Office, Letter to the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Table 1 (Summary of
Estimated Cost of the Conference Agreement for H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as Posted on the website of the House Committee on
Rules), Feb. 13, 2009, available on the CBO website at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99xx/doc9989/hr1conference.pdf.
Notes: ARRA refers to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5). Components may not sum to totals because of rounding. The totals for
Division A include about $29 billion in mandatory spending increases and $0.1 billion in revenue reductions over FY2009-FY2019.

CRS-8

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

As Table 2 shows, 20.9% of total outlays ($120.1 billion) are estimated to occur by the end of
FY2009. By the end of FY2010, 59.0% of total outlays ($339.4 billion) are expected to occur, and
by the end of FY2011, 80.9% of total outlays ($465.6 billion) are expected to occur. The
cumulative rate of mandatory spending compared to discretionary spending over the first several
fiscal years differs, with mandatory spending occurring more quickly. By the end of FY2011, for
example, 91.3% of mandatory outlays ($243.8 billion) are expected to occur, compared to 71.9%
of discretionary outlays ($221.8 billion).
Revenue reductions (as shown in Table 1) occur more quickly, with reductions of $64.8 billion in
FY2009 and $180.1 billion in FY2010. The combined revenue reduction for these two years
($244.9 billion) exceeds the net revenue reduction of $211.8 billion over the 11-year period
ending in FY2019; a modest revenue reduction occurs in FY2011, followed by modest revenue
increases in all subsequent years.
CBO also prepared a year-by-year assessment of the macroeconomic effects of ARRA.15
With regard to its structure, the act consists of several opening sections (e.g., short title) and two
major divisions. Division A (Appropriations Provisions) includes supplemental appropriations for
FY2009 (and later fiscal years) covering all 12 of the parallel regular appropriations acts. The
supplemental appropriations corresponding to each regular appropriations act are presented
separately in Titles I-XII of the division. Four additional titles, dealing with health information
technology, a state fiscal stabilization fund, accountability and transparency, and general
provisions complete the division.
Division B (Tax, Unemployment, Health, State Fiscal Relief, and Other Provisions) consists of
seven separate titles.
Division A includes the discretionary spending provisions, but some significant substantive
provisions as well. Division B includes the mandatory spending and revenue provisions, with
some exceptions. In addition, Division B includes two titles that are not budgetary in nature: Title
VI (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) and Title VII (Limits on Executive
Compensation). In the summary sections that follow, related provisions are discussed together,
regardless of the division in which they were placed.
Table 3 provides a contents listing of ARRA, by opening section and division and title, with page
references to the text of the public law. In addition, the table provides page references to the
legislative text and explanatory statements in the conference report—as printed as a separate
document (H.Rept. 111-16) and as inserted into the Congressional Record of February 12, 2009.

15

Congressional Budget Office, Letter to the Honorable Charles E. Grassley, Mar. 2, 2009, available at
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/100xx/doc10008/03-02-Macro_Effects_of_ARRA.pdf.

Congressional Research Service

9

Table 3. ARRA of 2009: Contents Listing and Page References
Conference Report

Congressional Record

(H.Rept. 111-16)

(February 12, 2009)

P.L. 111-5
Section/
Division

CRS-10

Content

(123 Stat. 115521)

Legislative
Text

Explanatory
Statement

Legislative
Text

Explanatory
Statement

Sec. 1

Short Title

123 Stat. 115

1

—

H1307

—

Sec. 2

Table of Contents

123 Stat. 115

1

—

H1307

—

Sec. 3

Purposes and Principles

123 Stat. 115

2

—

H1308

—

Sec. 4

References

123 Stat. 116

2

—

H1308

—

Sec. 5

Emergency Designations

123 Stat. 116

2

413

H1308

H1413

Division A

Appropriations Provisions

123 Stat. 116

3

413

H1308

H1413

Title I

Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA

123 Stat. 116

3

413

H1308

H1413

Title II

Commerce, Justice, Science

123 Stat. 127

14

417

H1310

H1414

Title III

Defense

123 Stat. 132

18

422

H1312

H1415

Title IV

Energy and Water Development

123 Stat. 134

20

423

H1312

H1416

Title V

Financial Services and General Government

123 Stat. 148

34

431

H1316

H1418

Title VI

Homeland Security

123 Stat. 162

48

435

H1319

H1419

Title VII

Interior, Environment

123 Stat. 166

53

438

H1321

H1420

Title VIII

Labor-Health and Human Services-Education

123 Stat. 172

59

447

H1322

H1422

Title IX

Legislative Branch

123 Stat. 191

77

463

H1327

H1426

Title X

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs

123 Stat. 191

78

463

H1327

H1426

Title XI

State, Foreign Operations

123 Stat. 202

89

466

H1330

H1427

Title XII

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

123 Stat. 203

90

469

H1330

H1428

Title XIII

Health Information Technology

123 Stat. 226

113

473

H1337

H1429

Title XIV

State Fiscal Stabilization Fund

123 Stat. 279

166

505

H1350

H1438

Title XV

Accountability and Transparency

123 Stat. 286

174

509

H1352

H1439

Conference Report

Congressional Record

(H.Rept. 111-16)

(February 12, 2009)

P.L. 111-5
Section/
Division

Content

(123 Stat. 115521)

Legislative
Text

Explanatory
Statement

Legislative
Text

Explanatory
Statement

Title XVI

General Provisions—This Act

123 Stat. 302

190

511

H1357

H1439

Division B

Tax, Unemployment, Health, State Fiscal
Relief, and Other Provisions

123 Stat. 306

193

514

H1357

H1440

Title I

Tax Provisions

123 Stat. 306

193

514

H1357

H1440

Title II

Assistance for Unemployed Workers and
Struggling Families

123 Stat. 436

325

695

H1391

H1491

Title III

Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits

123 Stat. 455

344

710

H1396

H1496

Title IV

Medicare and Medicaid Health Information
Technology; Miscellaneous Medicare Provisions

123 Stat. 467

356

735

H1399

H1503

Title V

State Fiscal Relief

123 Stat. 496

386

756

H1406

H1509

Title VI

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

123 Stat. 512

402

772

H1411

H1513

Title VII

Limits on Executive Compensation

123 Stat. 516

406

776

H1412

H1514

Sources: P.L. 111-5, slip law (Legislative Information System); conference report to accompany H.R. 1, H.Rept. 111-16, Feb. 12, 2009; and Congressional Record (daily
ed.), vol. 155, no. 29, Feb. 12, 2009, pp. H1307-H1516.
Note: ARRA refers to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5).

CRS-11

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Summary of Discretionary Spending Provisions
Division A of ARRA provides $311.20 billion in appropriations for a broad array of agencies,
programs, and activities. The funds are provided in twelve titles corresponding with the twelve
annual appropriations bills, and also an additional title for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Not
every agency typically funded through the annual appropriations bills received funding in ARRA.
Moreover, the agencies that were funded received widely varying dollar amounts. In turn, these
amounts constitute widely varying percentages of each agency’s most recent annual
appropriations (FY2009).
For each of the funding titles of Division A, the entries below identify the total funding provided
in the title and describe the primary purposes of the funding. The entries also include percentages
that indicate the extent to which the funding in ARRA is a supplement to other FY2009 funding.16
There are 12 entries each corresponding to one title of Division A. However, the entry for Title
VIII, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies,
also discusses the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (Title XIV) which received appropriations for
education programs.
Table 4 indicates the total discretionary budget authority for FY2009-FY2019 provided by title in
Division A. Table 5 and Table 6, at the end of this section, provide additional information on
appropriations in Division A, including funding by department and agency.
Of the $311.20 billion in total funding, $288.73 billion is identified as for FY2009. The remainder
is identified for future fiscal years, specifically $7.08 billion for FY2010 and $15.39 billion for
FY2011 through FY2019.17 The ARRA states that the appropriations are in addition to amounts
otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved,18 and that all funding is designated as
emergency funding.
The monies in the law are available for obligation until September 30, 2010 (the end of FY2010)
unless otherwise specified.19 Most of the accounts funded in Division A of the law do not contain
different periods of obligation, although there are a number of exceptions. For instance, funding
for the Inspectors General of the agencies typically is provided for a longer period of obligation.
By comparison, the 12 regular, annual appropriations laws typically contain varied periods of
obligation for funds therein. Some funds are made available until expended, while others are
provided for one or multiple fiscal years.

16
The totals for the other FY2009 funding reflect all FY2009 appropriations to date, regular and supplemental, other
than those included in ARRA. They generally are derived from the tables in the conference reports on the FY2009
appropriations bills.
17
See the table summarizing funding levels in Division A, Congressional Record (daily ed.), Feb. 13, 2009, p. H1553.
18
Sec. 1601, Division A.
19
Sec. 1603, Division A.

Congressional Research Service

12

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Table 4. Total Discretionary Budget Authority for Fiscal Years 2009-2019, by Title
(Division A – Appropriations Provisions)
(amounts in millions of dollars)
Title

Name

Title I

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration,
and Related Agencies

26,466

Title II

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

15,922

Title III

Department of Defense

4,555

Title IV

Energy and Water Development

50,825

Title V

Financial Services and General Government

6,858

Title VI

Department of Homeland Security

2,755

Title VII

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

10,950

Title VIII

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related
Agencies

72,564

Title IX

Legislative Branch

Title X

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

Title XI

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Title XII

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

Title XIII

Health Information Technology

Title XIV

State Fiscal Stabilization Fund

Title XV

Accountability and Transparency

0

Title XVI

General Provisions—This Act

0

Total

Budget
Authority

25
4,281
602
61,795
0
53,600

311,198

Source: Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 155 (February 13, 2009), pp. H1540-H1553.
Notes: Most of the budget authority ($288.73 billion) was appropriated for FY2009, but some was appropriated
for future fiscal years (FY2010 through FY2019). Title XIII (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) in the Congressional
Record funding table of February 13, 2009, (p. H1553) is incorrectly labeled. It should read Title XIV (State Fiscal
Stabilization Fund).

The ARRA contains a variety of provisions requiring agencies receiving the funds to notify
Congress on how the money is to be spent. For example, it requires that each agency receiving
funding in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies title notify the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees as to how the monies are to be spent. Specifically, it provides that
each such agency is to submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, within 30
days of enactment, a general plan for the expenditure of the funds. Each agency also is to submit
to the committees, within 90 days of enactment, a report “containing detailed project level
information associated with the general plan.”20 As another example, several of the appropriations
20

Sec. 701, Division A.

Congressional Research Service

13

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

included in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related
Agencies title require the pertinent agency head to submit an operating plan to the Appropriations
Committees prior to making any obligations of the funds provided. The timelines and
requirements for the plans vary, but they generally focus on detailing activities to be supported
and describing the planned allocation of resources, to be followed by subsequent reports on actual
obligations and expenditures.
Among the general provisions of ARRA,21 agencies are to begin spending the funds “as quickly
as possible consistent with prudent management.”22 With regard to funds for infrastructure,
recipients are to give preference to activities “that can be started and completed expeditiously,”
with a goal of using at least 50% of the monies for activities that can be started within 120 days of
enactment.23
The ARRA also requires the establishment of a website with information on how the funds in
Division A are allocated. The Administration has established a website to monitor implementation
of the AARA—(http://www.recovery.gov/). For further information on implementation and
oversight provisions of ARRA, see the “Summary of General Oversight Provisions” and
“Additional Resources” sections of this report.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration,
and Related Agencies (Division A, Title I)24
Agriculture programs—including nutrition assistance, rural development, farmer assistance, and
conservation—receive $26.47 billion in ARRA.25 This is 24% over the $108.09 billion in the
Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-8) for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.
Of the $26.47 billion, nutrition assistance programs receive the largest share at $20.74 billion.
Increased food stamp benefits and expanded eligibility in the newly renamed Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) represent the largest single increase; monthly food stamp
benefits for families rise 20% on average from current levels. Second, rural development receives
$4.36 billion (160% of the regular FY2009 amount), focused primarily on broadband
infrastructure but also rural water and waste disposal infrastructure, community facilities, and
rural housing. In particular, the rural broadband program receives $2.50 billion, allowing outlays
through FY2015 that are 20-30 times more than recent annual appropriations. Third, assistance
for farmers totals $744.0 million, primarily for crop insurance/disaster programs but also for the
farm loan program, which is facing higher demand during the financial crisis. Fourth,
conservation programs receive $348.0 million for watershed flood prevention infrastructure.
Finally, USDA receives $250.0 million for its own facilities maintenance and computer
infrastructure. 26
21

The law contains other provisions on the allocation of appropriations that are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Sec. 3, “Purposes and Principles.”
23
Sec. 1602, Division A.
24
This section was prepared by (name redacted).
25
Of the $26.47 billion total, $11.33 billion was FY2009 funding and the remainder was for other fiscal years.
26
For more information on funding in Title I of ARRA, see CRS Report R40160, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Rural
Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, coordinated by (name redacted).
22

Congressional Research Service

14

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (Division A,
Title II)27
The ARRA provides $15.92 billion for agencies covered under the Commerce, Justice, Science,
and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill. This is a 27% supplement to the $59.93 billion in
other FY2009 appropriations.
Commerce. The ARRA includes $7.92 billion for the Department of Commerce (DOC). Of this
amount, $5.35 billion (68%) is for the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) for activities such as broadband deployment in the United States and the
conversion from analog to digital television broadcasts. (Division B, Title VI contains the
authorization for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) at NTIA.28)
For the 2010 census, the Bureau of the Census receives $1.00 billion to hire and train additional
personnel, increase targeted media purchases, and improve risk management. Up to $250.0
million of the $1.00 billion is to be used for partnership and outreach efforts to hard-to-count
groups. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration receives $830.0 million, with
$600.0 million for facility and fleet construction and maintenance and $230.0 million for
research, restoration, navigation, conservation, and management activities. The National Institute
of Standards and Technology receives $580.0 million for construction and research activities
(plus a $20.0 million transfer). The Economic Development Administration receives $150.0
million for Economic Development Assistance programs, and the Office of Inspector General
receives $6.0 million.
Justice. The Department of Justice (DOJ) receives $4.00 billion, with $2.0 million for the
Inspector General and the rest for grant programs. Specifically, the Office on Violence Against
Women receives $225.0 million for violence against women prevention and prosecution
programs, and the Community Oriented Policing Services Office receives $1.00 billion for its
hiring program. The Office of Justice Programs receives $2.77 billion, including $2.00 billion for
the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, $225.0 million for Byrne
Competitive grants, $225.0 million for construction of correctional facilities on tribal lands,
$125.0 million for rural law enforcement assistance, $100.0 million for victim compensation
grants, $50.0 million for Internet Crimes Against Children taskforces, and $40.0 million for law
enforcement assistance along the southern border and in High-intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.
Science. Two science agencies receive a total of $4.00 billion. The National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) receives $1.00 billion, including $400.0 million for science, to
accelerate the development of the tier 1 set of Earth science climate research missions and to
increase the agency’s supercomputing capabilities; $400.0 million for exploration; $150.0 million
for aeronautics; $50.0 million for cross-agency support, with the highest priority for restoring
NASA-owned facilities damaged by natural disasters during 2008; and $2.0 million for the
Inspector General. The National Science Foundation (NSF) receives $3.00 billion, comprised of
$2.50 billion for research and related activities (R&RA), $400.0 million for its major research
equipment and facilities construction account, $100.0 million for education and human resources
27

This section was prepared by (name redacted), (name redac
ted), (name redacted), and John F. Sargent, Jr.
For additional information on the BTOP authorization in ARRA, see CRS Report R40436, Broadband Infrastructure
Programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, by (name redacted).
28

Congressional Research Service

15

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

(EHR), and $2.0 million for the Inspector General. Language in the joint explanatory statement
provides further direction, such as to allocate $300.0 million of the R&RA funds to NSF’s major
research instrumentation program and $60.0 million of the EHR funds to the Robert Noyce
scholarship program.

Department of Defense (Division A, Title III)29
The ARRA provides $4.56 billion to DOD accounts that had been funded by the FY2009
Department of Defense Appropriations Act (Division C, P.L. 110-329). Apart from these stimulus
funds and funds appropriated for military construction (which are provided separately), a total of
$543.57 billion30 has been appropriated for DOD in FY2009. The funds in ARRA increase that
total by 0.8%.
The additional DOD funds provided by ARRA are aimed largely at programs that serve one of
two goals. A total of $4.24 billion is for maintenance of DOD facilities, of which $400.0 million
is for medical facilities, $153.5 million is for renovation of barracks, and $3.69 billion is for
repair and maintenance of other facilities and for projects that would improve the energy
efficiency of DOD facilities. An additional $300.0 million is for research and development
projects that would improve DOD’s energy efficiency. The law also provides an additional $15.0
million for the office of the DOD Inspector General.

Energy and Water Development (Division A, Title IV)31
In total, ARRA contains $50.83 billion for Energy and Water Development programs,32 a 128%
supplement to the $39.56 billion included in regular and supplemental appropriations for FY2009
($33.80 billion in the omnibus appropriations law, P.L. 111-8, and $5.76 billion in the
supplemental appropriations law, P.L. 110-252). The three major programs in the Energy and
Water Development bill support the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Programs, the
Bureau of Reclamation in the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy (DOE).
The ARRA appropriates $4.60 billion for construction, operation, maintenance, and planning of
Corps navigation, flood control, and ecosystem restoration projects and for other Corps civil
works activities. This is a 41% supplement to the $11.16 billion in FY2009 appropriations for
these activities—$5.40 billion in regular appropriations (P.L. 111-8) and $5.76 billion in
supplemental appropriations (P.L. 110-252). The ARRA amount, therefore, represents 85% of the
regular appropriations for the Corps. The Bureau of Reclamation receives $1.00 billion in ARRA,
a 93% addition to the $1.08 billion in regular FY2009 appropriations. Reclamation funds are to
be used for elements of projects, programs, or activities that can be completed within the funding
amounts provided in ARRA and not create budgetary obligations in future fiscal years, and
include specific appropriations for water reuse and recycling, certain restoration, rural water
supply, and canal projects in the 17 western states.

29

This section was prepared by (name redacted).
This total does not reflect a $10.35 billion Tricare accrual from contributions to DOD’s retiree health care fund.
Including this amount, the DOD total would be $553.91 billion.
31
This section was prepared by (name redacted) and (name redacted).
32
Of the $50.83 billion total, $44.34 billion is FY2009 funding and the remainder is for other fiscal years.
30

Congressional Research Service

16

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

The Department of Energy receives $38.73 billion in ARRA, a 144% supplement to the $26.97
billion in other appropriations for FY2009. DOE has many programs, and the distribution of
ARRA money varies widely among them. While some programs do not receive any appropriation
from ARRA, others are funded many times over their regular budgets. Among the major
recipients, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs receive $16.80 billion, more than
eight times the $1.93 billion in the regular FY2009 appropriations law. Electricity Delivery and
Energy Reliability, funded at $137.0 million in the FY2009 appropriations, receives $4.50 billion
in ARRA, a 32-fold increase. Fossil Fuel Research and Development receives $3.40 billion in
ARRA, almost four times as much as the $876.3 million in the FY2009 appropriations law.
Other major DOE programs that receive ARRA money are Defense Environmental Cleanup,
which receives $5.13 billion, a 91% addition to the $5.66 billion in the FY2009 appropriations
law, and Science programs, which receive $2.00 billion from ARRA, a 42% addition to the $4.77
billion in the regular FY2009 appropriations law.

Financial Services and General Government (Division A, Title V)33
The ARRA provides $6.86 billion for Financial Services and General Government agencies. This
is a 15% supplement to the $44.58 billion in other appropriations for Financial Services and
General Government agencies for FY2009. Of the $6.86 billion, $5.86 billion is provided to the
General Services Administration (GSA). The large majority of GSA’s appropriation, $5.55 billion,
is for construction projects and “green” building initiatives. GSA receives an additional $300.0
million for the purchase of energy–efficient motor vehicles, and $7.0 million for the agency’s
Office of Inspector General.
Of the $6.86 billion total, the Small Business Administration (SBA) receives $730.0 million.34 Of
that amount, $630.0 million is provided for loan guarantees and loan subsidies, $69.0 million for
salaries and expenses, $15.0 million for the Surety Bond Guarantee Revolving Fund, $10.0
million for the Office of Inspector General, and $6.0 million for direct loans.
Another $187.0 million of the total is provided to the Department of the Treasury. Of that amount,
$100.0 million is for programs funded through the Community Development Financial
Institutions Fund, $80.0 million is for the Internal Revenue Service to implement the TAA35
Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2009, and $7.0 million is for the Treasury Inspector
General for Tax Administration. The remaining $84.0 million of the total Title V funding is for
the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board, which was established to coordinate
and conduct oversight of funds distributed under ARRA in order to prevent fraud, waste, and
abuse. 36
33

This section was prepared by (name redacted).
For more information on funds provided to the Small Business Administration in the economic stimulus law, see
CRS Report R40241, Small Business Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, by (name re
dacted) and (name redacted).
35
TAA is the acronym for Trade Adjustment Assistance.
36
For more information on the role of the Board and the oversight provisions of ARRA, see the “Summary of General
Oversight Provisions” section of this report. Division A, Title XV establishes the board as the “Recovery
Accountability and Transparency Board,” omitting the word “Act.” This report uses both versions of the board’s name,
depending on whether the board’s funding is being discussed (Division A, Title V) or the board’s establishment is
being discussed (Division A, Title XV).
34

Congressional Research Service

17

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Department of Homeland Security (Division A, Title VI)37
The ARRA includes $2.76 billion for a number of agencies and programs within the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS). Funding provided in ARRA represents a 7% supplement to the
$41.33 billion in other appropriations for DHS for FY2009. Of the $2.76 billion total, ARRA
provides $200.0 million to the Office of the Under Secretary for Management for various
activities and costs associated with the consolidation of DHS headquarters. It contains $5.0
million for the Office of Inspector General for the oversight and audit of programs, grants, and
projects funded under Title VI. The law includes $680.0 million for Customs and Border
Protection, comprised as follows: $100.0 million for non-intrusive inspection technology; $60.0
million for tactical communications equipment and radios; $100.0 million to deploy SBInet
technology to the border; and $420.0 million for the construction and modification of ports of
entry. Further, ARRA contains $20.0 million for tactical communications equipment and radios
for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The law includes $1.00 billion for the Transportation Security Administration for checked
baggage explosives detection systems and checkpoint explosives detection equipment. It contains
$240.0 million for the Coast Guard, of which $142.0 million is dedicated to the Alteration of
Bridges program for those bridges that are ready to proceed to construction and $98.0 million is
for a variety of acquisition and maintenance activities. Finally, ARRA also provides $610.0
million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, of which $100.0 million is for the
Emergency Food and Shelter program and $510.0 million is for selected DHS assistance
programs for states and localities: $150.0 million for the Transit Security Grant Program; $150.0
million for the Port Security Grant Program; and $210.0 million for the Assistance to Firefighters
Program.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies (Division A, Title
VII)38
In total, ARRA contains $10.95 billion for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. This is a
40% supplement to the $27.59 billion in other appropriations for Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies for FY2009. Of the $10.95 billion, $7.22 billion is provided to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The majority of EPA funding is for clean water ($4.00
billion) and drinking water ($2.00 billion) state revolving fund grants.39 The remainder of the
funds is primarily for cleanup projects, specifically Superfund remediation, grants for cleanup of
Brownfields and leaking underground storage tanks, and diesel emission reduction grants.
Another portion of the funds is for the Office of Inspector General. EPA funding in ARRA nearly
equals the agency’s FY2009 regular appropriations of $7.64 billion.
Another $2.50 billion of the $10.95 billion total is provided to the four federal land management
agencies: the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and
Forest Service. These funds are provided for construction; wildfire management; and
37

This section was prepared by (name redacted) and (name redacted).
This section was prepared by (name redacted).
39
For information on these grants and other water infrastructure funding in ARRA, see CRS Report R40216, Water
Infrastructure Funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, by (name redacted) and (name reda
cted).
38

Congressional Research Service

18

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of facilities and trails, among other purposes.40 Still
another $1.00 billion of the $10.95 billion is provided to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for
activities including repair and restoration of roads, construction and improvement of schools, and
maintenance and repair of detention centers ($500.0 million) and to the Indian Health Service for
facilities construction, deferred maintenance, sanitation projects, and equipment purchases
($500.0 million), among other activities. The remaining $230.0 million of the $10.95 billion is
provided to several other agencies for purposes including deferred maintenance of the U.S.
Geological Survey, salaries and expenses of the DOI Inspector General, repair of Smithsonian
facilities, and grants for the arts.

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,
and Related Agencies (Division A, Title VIII) and State Fiscal
Stabilization Fund (Division A, Title XIV)41
Two titles of ARRA provide funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, and Related Agencies. Title VIII provides a total of $72.56 billion,42 including
$4.81 billion for the Department of Labor, $21.92 billion for the Department of Health and
Human Services, $44.64 billion for the Department of Education, and $1.20 billion for related
agencies. Title XIV provides $53.60 billion to the Department of Education for a new State Fiscal
Stabilization Fund, bringing ARRA Education total to $98.24 billion. The ARRA total from the
two titles is $126.16 billion, a 20% supplement to the $638.47 billion in other appropriations for
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for FY2009. For
discretionary programs, however, ARRA total of $124.15 billion is a 78% supplement to the
$160.08 billion in regular FY2009 appropriations for the agencies. In contrast, the much smaller
ARRA total of $2.01 billion for mandatory programs (provided through Division A) is a 0.4%
supplement to the $478.39 billion in regular FY2009 appropriations.
Department of Labor (DOL). The ARRA includes $4.81 billion for the Department of Labor.
The amount is a 31% supplement to the $15.32 billion in other FY2009 appropriations, and a
39% supplement to the $12.41 billion in FY2009 discretionary funding for DOL. Of the $4.81
billion total, $4.20 billion is provided for employment and training programs authorized by the
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the remaining $606.0 million went to related DOL
programs. The amount for WIA programs represents a 79% supplement to the $5.31 billion in the
Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009. Of the $4.20 billion in WIA funding, a total of $3.95 billion
is appropriated for Training and Employment Services activities as follows: (1) formula grants to
states receive $2.95 billion, including $500.0 million in grants for adult employment and training,
$1.20 billion in grants for youth activities, and $1.25 billion in grants for dislocated worker
assistance; (2) the Dislocated Workers Assistance National Reserve receives $200.0 million; (3)
the YouthBuild program receives $50.0 million; and (4) $750.0 million is provided for a new
program of competitive grants for worker training and placement in high-growth and emerging
industries. The remaining $250.0 million in WIA funding goes to the Office of Job Corps for
construction and renovation of Job Corps Centers. The balance of ARRA funding for DOL is for
40

For more information on funds for these agencies in the economic stimulus law, see CRS Report R40217, Federal
Lands Provisions of Economic Stimulus Legislation (H.R. 1), by (name redacted).
41
This section was prepared by (name redacted), (name redacted), and (name redacted).
42
Of the $72.56 billion total, $71.73 billion is FY2009 funding and the remaining $831.0 million is FY2010 funding
(mandatory funding for Pell Grants in the Department of Education appropriation).

Congressional Research Service

19

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

the Community Service Employment for Older Americans program ($120.0 million), state
unemployment insurance and employment service operations ($400.0 million), departmental
management ($80.0 million), and the Office of the Inspector General ($6.0 million).43
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ARRA provides $21.92 billion for the
HHS programs funded under this appropriation. This is a 4% supplement to the $501.20 billion in
total regular FY2009 appropriations, and a 31% supplement to the $71.38 billion in FY2009
discretionary funding for HHS. Of the $21.92 billion, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
receives the largest share at $10.00 billion (a 33% supplement to regular FY2009 appropriations).
The Administration for Children and Families receives $5.15 billion, including $2.00 billion for
the Child Care and Development Block Grant (a 94% supplement) and $3.15 billion for Children
and Family Services programs (a 34% supplement). The Office of the HHS Secretary receives a
total of $3.07 billion for several programs, including $1.00 billion for a new Prevention and
Wellness Fund and $2.00 billion to implement activities authorized under the Health Information
Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (Division A, Title XIII of ARRA).44 The
Health Resources and Services Administration receives $2.50 billion, including $2.00 billion for
health centers (a 91% supplement) and $500.0 million for health professions training programs.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) receives a total of $1.10 billion for
comparative effectiveness research ($300.0 million for AHRQ programs, $400.0 million for
transfer to NIH, and $400.0 million for the Secretary to allocate). Finally, the Administration on
Aging receives $100.0 million for senior nutrition programs.45
Department of Education (ED). The ARRA provides $98.24 billion for programs that are or
will be administered by the Department of Education. This is a 148% supplement to the $66.51
billion in regular FY2009 appropriations for ED.
Of the $98.24 billion, $42.62 billion is appropriated for existing discretionary ED programs—
a 90% supplement to the regular FY2009 appropriations for these programs. Three programs that
receive the largest shares of the funding are discussed here; the balance of ARRA funding for
existing programs is provided in smaller amounts to numerous other ED programs.46 Most of
ARRA funds for existing elementary education programs are appropriated for programs that
provide formula grants directly to states or local educational agencies (LEAs), while most funds
at the postsecondary level are appropriated for Pell Grants, which go directly to students. For
some programs, these appropriations provide a substantial increase over the amount of funding
provided through the regular appropriations process in recent years. The ARRA provides $10.00
billion for Title I-A, Education for the Disadvantaged, Grants to LEAs, a 69% supplement to the
$14.49 billion in regular FY2009 appropriations for the program. Similarly, ARRA provides
$11.30 billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B Grants to States,
43
For more information on ARRA funds for DOL, see CRS Report R40182, Funding for Workforce Development in
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, by (name redacted) and (name redacted).
44
For more information, see CRS Report R40161, The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical
Health (HITECH) Act, by (name redacted). See also the discussion of related health information technology
provisions in Division B of the act, in the “Summary of Mandatory Spending Provisions” section later in this report.
45
For more information on HHS programs in ARRA, see CRS Report R40181, Selected Health Funding in the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, coordinated by (name redacted); CRS Report R40211,
Human
Services Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, by (name redacted) et al.; and CRS Report RL33880,
Older Americans Act (OAA) Funding, by (name redacted).
46
For more information on ED programs in ARRA, see CRS Report R40151, Funding for Education in the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5), by (name redacted) et al..

Congressional Research Service

20

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

a 98% supplement to the $11.51 billion in regular FY2009 appropriations. At the postsecondary
level, ARRA provides $15.64 billion in discretionary funding for Pell Grants, a 90% supplement
to the $17.29 billion in regular FY2009 appropriations.47
The remaining $53.60 billion in ARRA funding for ED is appropriated for the new State Fiscal
Stabilization Fund. After making reservations from the appropriation, including a $5.00 billion
reservation for the Secretary of Education to provide State Incentive Grants and establish an
Innovation Fund, $48.32 billion will be provided to governors through formula grants to each
state that chooses to apply for funding through this program. At the state level, the governor must
use 81.8% of the funds received to restore state support for public elementary and secondary
education48 and for public institutions of higher education (IHEs)49 to the greater of the FY2008
or FY2009 level for FY2009, FY2010, and FY2011. The governor is required to use the
remaining 18.2% of the state allocation for “public safety and other government services,” which
may include assistance for elementary and secondary education and public IHEs.
Related Agencies. The ARRA includes $1.20 billion for related agencies. This is a 2%
supplement to the $55.43 billion in total regular FY2009 appropriations, and a 9% supplement to
the $12.75 billion in FY2009 discretionary funding for these agencies. Of the $1.20 billion,
ARRA provides $1.00 billion to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Of this amount,
$500.0 million is to replace SSA’s National Computer Center and $500.0 million is for processing
disability and retirement claims. SSA’s Office of the Inspector General receives $2.0 million.50
The ARRA provides $201.0 million to the Corporation for National and Community Service. This
amount includes $89.0 million for AmeriCorps State and National Grants, $65.0 million for the
AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America program, and $40.0 million for the National
Service Trust. Among other activities, the National Service Trust provides educational awards to
participants in AmeriCorps, VISTA, and the National Civilian Community Corps.

Legislative Branch (Division A, Title IX)51
The ARRA contains $25.0 million for the legislative branch, all of which is provided for the
Government Accountability Office (GAO). This amount is a 0.6% supplement to the $4.40 billion
in other appropriations for Legislative Branch for FY2009. The ARRA requires GAO to conduct
bimonthly reviews of selected states and localities on their use funds provided by the act. It also
seeks to ensure GAO access to various records related to contracts awarded with funds provided
in the act.

47

Pell Grants also received mandatory appropriations in ARRA to increase the maximum Pell Grant award. The total
provided was $1.47 billion, of which $643.0 million was for FY2009 and $831.0 million was for FY2010.
48
This may also include, if applicable, funding state formula increases to support elementary and secondary education
for FY2010 and FY2011 and the phasing in of state equity and adequacy adjustments if these increases were enacted in
state law prior to October 1, 2008.
49
State support for public institutions of higher education excludes tuition and fees paid by students.
50
For more information on ARRA funds for SSA, see CRS Report R40188, Social Security Provisions in the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, by Scott Szymendera.
51
This section was prepared by (name redacted).

Congressional Research Service

21

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
(Division A, Title X)52
The ARRA includes $4.28 billion for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related
Agencies, a 4% addition to the $119.61 billion otherwise appropriated for FY2009. Of the $4.28
billion, $2.88 billion is devoted to military construction, military family housing construction and
operation, and the Department of Defense (DOD) Homeowners Assistance Fund. Army
construction ($180.0 million) is specified for use on child development centers and “warrior
transition complexes.”53 Army family housing construction receives an additional $34.5 million
and operations another $3.9 million. Navy and Marine Corps construction ($280.0 million) is to
be used for troop housing, child development centers, and energy conservation and alternative
energy projects. Air Force construction ($180.0 million) is to be devoted to troop housing and
child development centers. Air Force family housing construction receives $80.1 million and
operations an additional $16.5 million. Defense-wide construction ($1.45 billion) is dedicated to
hospitals, with a small portion reserved for the Energy Conservation Investment Program. The
Army National Guard construction account is allocated $50.0 million, and the Air National Guard
an additional $50.0 million. The Homeowners Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to
DOD personnel forced to sell primary homes in depressed housing markets because of relocations
due to base closures or downsizing, receives a $555.0 million appropriation, and additional
legislative language expands eligibility to new categories of personnel.
Of the $4.28 billion, ARRA provides $1.40 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This
amount includes $1.00 billion for the medical facilities account, and $50.0 million for the
National Cemetery Administration. The funding for these accounts is for non-recurring
maintenance and energy conservation projects in VA medical facilities and monument and
memorial repairs in VA national cemeteries. The law does not specify which VA medical facilities
or cemeteries would receive funding. The ARRA also provides: $150.0 million for the general
operating expenses account to temporarily increase the number of claims processing personnel;
$50.0 million for information technology; $1.0 million for the Office of the Inspector General;
and $150.0 million for grants for construction of state extended care facilities.

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (Division A, Title
XI)54
The ARRA contains $602.0 million for programs under the Department of State and the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID). This is a 1.5% supplement to the other $40.46
billion in other appropriations for State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs for FY2009.
Of the $602.0 million, $382.0 million is provided for State Department activities, including $90.0
million under Diplomatic & Consular Programs to address facilities requirements for passport and
training functions, $290.0 million to the Capital Investment Fund (CIF) for security upgrades to
the information technology system (of which $38.0 million is to be transferred to USAID’s CIF
for coordination of State and USAID information technology systems), and $2.0 million to the
52

This section was prepared by (name redacted).
Warrior transition complexes often contain barracks, family support facilities, and administration spaces near
military medical facilities where injured soldiers and their families can reside during convalescence.
54
This section was prepared by Marian Leonardo Lawson, (name redacted), and (name redacted).
53

Congressional Research Service

22

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Office of the Inspector General for oversight requirements. The remaining $220.0 million is
provided for the U.S.-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission for immediate
repair and rehabilitation requirements, of which up to $2.0 million may be merged with funds for
salaries and expenses.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies (Division A, Title XII)55
The ARRA provides $61.80 billion for programs within the Department of Transportation (DOT)
and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).56 This is a 57% supplement to
the $109.06 billion provided in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 (Division I, P.L. 111-8).
DOT. DOT receives a total of $48.12 billion from ARRA, primarily to make capital assistance
grants. This additional funding represents a 72% supplement to DOT’s regular FY2009 funding
($67.22 billion).
The ARRA funding is allocated among ten grant programs, focusing on different modes of
transportation. The largest allocation, $27.50 billion, goes to states and localities for highway
projects, though passenger and freight rail and port infrastructure projects also are eligible for this
funding in certain circumstances. The next largest allocation, $9.30 billion, is for states and
Amtrak for intercity passenger rail projects, including high-speed rail. Transit projects receive
$8.40 billion; aviation projects receive $1.30 billion; and small shipyards receive $100.0 million.
The law also provides $1.50 billion for competitive grants for surface transportation projects of
national and regional significance, whether highways, bridges, transit, rail, or port infrastructure.
For most of these programs, the grants provided with funding from ARRA will not require any
local match. States will be required to certify that they are using these grants to supplement their
planned transportation spending, rather than substituting the additional funding for their planned
spending. Further, the DOT Inspector General’s Office is given $20.0 million to help audit these
expenditures.
HUD. The ARRA provides $13.68 billion for HUD in FY2009.57 This funding is a 33%
supplement to the $41.54 billion provided for HUD in P.L. 111-8.
The $13.68 billion in HUD funding includes $4.00 billion for the repair and modernization of
public housing and $2.00 billion for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and sale of abandoned and
foreclosed housing through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. It includes $2.00 billion to
fund the full-year renewal of project-based rental assistance contracts between HUD and private
property owners and another $2.25 billion is included to provide gap financing for certain tax
credit financed affordable housing developments. The HUD funding also includes $1.50 billion
for homelessness prevention activities, to be awarded to localities via the Emergency Shelter
Grant program formula.

55

This section was prepared by (name redacted) and (name redacted).
Of the $61.80 billion total, $61.78 billion is FY2009 funding and the remaining $13.0 million is FY2010 funding.
57
Of the $13.68 billion total, $13.66 billion is FY2009 funding and the remaining $13.0 million is FY2010 funding.
56

Congressional Research Service

23

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

The remaining HUD funding is provided for: supplemental Community Development Block
Grant assistance ($1.00 billion); supplemental grants for Native American block grant recipients
($510.0 million); competitive grants for energy efficiency and green retrofits in HUD-assisted
multifamily properties ($250.0 million); supplemental funding for the lead paint hazard reduction
program ($100.0 million); and supplemental funding for HUD’s Office of Inspector General
($15.0 million). Administrative provisions in the law increase the Federal Housing Administration
loan limits and the government sponsored enterprises (GSE) conforming loan limits. The GSE
changes are estimated to cost $37.0 million in FY2009 and $13.0 million in FY2010.

Congressional Research Service

24

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Table 5. Total Discretionary Budget Authority for Fiscal Years 2009-2019, by
Department/Agency and Title (Division A– Appropriations Provisions)
(amounts in millions of dollars)
Department/Agency
Agriculture
Title I: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies

Budget
Authority
27,616
26,466
1,150

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Commerce

7,916

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Defense

12,035

Title III: Department of Defense

4,555

Title IV: Energy and Water Development

4,600

Title X: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

2,880

Education
Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies

98,238
44,638
53,600

Title XIV: State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
Energy

45,225

Title IV: Energy and Water Development
Health and Human Services
Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies
Homeland Security

22,417
500
21,917
2,755

Title VI: Department of Homeland Security
Housing and Urban Development

13,675

Title XII: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies
Interior

3,005

Title IV: Energy and Water Development

1,000

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

2,005

Justice

4,002

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Labor

4,806

Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies

Congressional Research Service

25

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Department/Agency

Budget
Authority

State

602

Title XI: State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Transportation

48,120

Title XII: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies
Treasury

187

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
Veterans Affairs

1,401

Title X: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
Corporation for National and Community Service

201

Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies
Environmental Protection Agency

7,220

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
General Services Administration

5,857

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
Government Accountability Office

25

Title IX: Legislative Branch
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

1,002

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
National Endowment for the Arts

50

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
National Science Foundation

3,002

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board

84

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
Small Business Administration

730

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
Smithsonian Institution

25

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Social Security Administration

1,002

Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies
Source: Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 155 (February 13, 2009), pp. H1540-H1553.
Notes: Most of the budget authority ($288.73 billion) is appropriated for FY2009, but some is appropriated for
future fiscal years (FY2010 through FY2019). Title XIII (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) in the Congressional Record
funding table of February 13, 2009, (p. H1553) is incorrectly labeled. It should read Title XIV (State Fiscal
Stabilization Fund).

Congressional Research Service

26

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Table 6. Total Discretionary Budget Authority for Fiscal Years 2009-2019, Ranked In
Descending Order by Department/Agency (Division A – Appropriations Provisions)
(amounts in millions of dollars)
Department/Agency
Education
Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies

Budget
Authority
98,238
44,638
53,600

Title XIV: State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
Transportation

48,120

Title XII: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies
Energy

45,225

Title IV: Energy and Water Development
Agriculture
Title I: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies

27,616
26,466
1,150

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Health and Human Services
Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies
Housing and Urban Development

22,417
500
21,917
13,675

Title XII: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies
Defense

12,035

Title III: Department of Defense

4,555

Title IV: Energy and Water Development

4,600

Title X: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

2,880

Commerce

7,916

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Environmental Protection Agency

7,220

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
General Services Administration

5,857

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
Labor

4,806

Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies
Justice

4,002

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Congressional Research Service

27

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Department/Agency

Budget
Authority

Interior

3,005

Title IV: Energy and Water Development

1,000

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

2,005

National Science Foundation

3,002

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Homeland Security

2,755

Title VI: Department of Homeland Security
Veterans Affairs

1,401

Title X: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

1,002

Title II: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Social Security Administration

1,002

Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies
Small Business Administration

730

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
State

602

Title XI: State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Corporation for National and Community Service

201

Title VIII: Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related
Agencies
Treasury

187

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board

84

Title V: Financial Services and General Government
National Endowment for the Arts

50

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Government Accountability Office

25

Title IX: Legislative Branch
Smithsonian Institution

25

Title VII: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

Source: Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 155 (February 13, 2009), pp. H1540-H1553.
Notes: Most of the budget authority ($288.73 billion) is appropriated for FY2009, but some is appropriated for
future fiscal years (FY2010 through FY2019). Title XIII (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) in the Congressional Record
funding table of February 13, 2009, (p. H1553) is incorrectly labeled. It should read Title XIV (State Fiscal
Stabilization Fund).

Congressional Research Service

28

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

Summary of Mandatory Spending Provisions
Most mandatory spending in ARRA is contained in Division B of the act; however, some $29
billion of estimated outlays contained in Division A are also the result of changes in mandatory
programs (for example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food
stamps). Of total amounts shown in Table 1 for mandatory spending under Division B, nearly $69
billion is from refundable tax credits. For purposes of this CRS report, these tax provisions are
generally discussed in the “Summary of Tax and Public Finance Provisions,” although a few that
are directly related to the mandatory provisions discussed below also are mentioned here.
Non-tax mandatory spending in Division B totals $198 billion over the 10-year period FY2009FY2019, according to CBO estimates. The vast majority of this spending will occur in the first
two years ($160 billion). Almost all funds will be spent during the five-year period FY2009FY2013 ($194 billion). The key exception to this pattern, however, is the Medicaid/Medicare
health information technology provisions (Title IV of Division B), which do not take effect until
FY2011.
The largest single component of spending results from provisions intended to provide fiscal relief
to states under the Medicaid program (Title V of Division B). CBO estimates that Title V
provisions will result in $90 billion in outlays over 10 years, with $78 billion in spending during
the first two years (FY2009 and FY2010) and nearly the full $90 billion spent during FY2009FY2013.
The next largest category of mandatory non-tax spending results from changes in unemployment
compensation (UC), which CBO estimates will cost $39 billion over 10 years, with more than
$37 billion of that total occurring during the first two years. UC provisions are combined in Title
II of Division B with provisions that amend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) and Child Support Enforcement (CSE) programs and that provide one-time “economic
recovery” payments to certain individuals (e.g., recipients of Social Security and other benefit
programs). CBO estimates that the combination of TANF, CSE, and economic recovery payments
will cost $18 billion over 10 years, with $17 billion of that spending in the first two years. Most
of this spending is for the economic recovery payments.
Subsidies for COBRA health insurance premiums will cost an estimated $25 billion over 10
years, and Medicare/Medicaid health information technology (HIT) provisions will cost an
estimated $21 billion. Most of the HIT spending will occur in FY2011-FY2015, with estimated
savings starting in FY2016.
Table 7, toward the end of this report, provides summary information on the levels of mandatory
spending (and revenue changes) provided in ARRA.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (Division B, Title I, Part I)
ARRA reauthorizes and expands the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs (for workers,
firms and farmers) through the end of calendar year 2010. It also created a TAA for Communities
program. These programs provide various forms of assistance (e.g., income support, training, job
search and relocation assistance, technical assistance) for individuals, businesses and
communities adversely affected by imports or shifts in production out of the United States. In

Congressional Research Service

29

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

addition, a refundable Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) is available to offset part of the health
insurance premiums of eligible workers.
Regarding TAA for Workers, ARRA expands eligibility to additional groups (including service
and public sector workers) and extends income support benefits an additional 26 weeks. ARRA
increases the amount of a worker’s job search and relocation expenses that may be reimbursed by
the program and increases the amount of annual training funds available. The law also continues
and eases eligibility for a wage insurance program for older workers, and increases the portion of
a worker’s health insurance premium that will be covered by the HCTC.
ARRA also makes significant changes to TAA for Firms. The new law extends eligibility to
services firms in addition to manufacturing and agricultural firms, and increases a firm’s
flexibility in demonstrating it has been negatively affected by trade. The law requires the
Secretary of Commerce, upon being informed by the Secretary of Labor that a firm’s workers are
covered by the TAA for Workers program, to notify the firm of its potential eligibility under the
TAA for Firms program.
For TAA for Farmers, ARRA makes it easier for any group of commodity producers, including
fishermen, to qualify for assistance by lowering a key threshold and broadening the scope of the
factors to be examined in determining eligibility. Also, instead of receiving cash payments
automatically under a formula as before, a producer that meets specified requirements will
become eligible for financial assistance only upon the completion of training intended to help him
or her become more competitive in producing the same or another commodity.
The TAA for Communities program makes communities that have received one or more
certifications under the TAA for Workers, Firms, or Farmers program eligible for strategic
planning grants as well as for economic development grants if the communities cannot match
grant funds as required by other federal programs.58

Unemployment Compensation (Division B, Title II, Subtitle A)
ARRA contains several provisions affecting unemployment benefits. The law increases
unemployment benefits by $25 per week for all recipients of regular unemployment
compensation (UC), extended benefits (EB), emergency unemployment compensation (EUC08),
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs, and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
Supplemental compensation will be available from the time a state enters into an agreement with
the Labor Secretary and ending in most cases before January 1, 2010.
The act extends the temporary EUC08 program through December 26, 2009, to be financed by
federal general revenues. It also provides for 100% federal financing of the EB program to end
before January 1, 2010, to be financed through the Unemployment Trust Fund. ARRA allows
states the option of changing temporarily the eligibility requirements for the EB program in order
to expand the number of persons eligible for EB benefits, to end before June 1, 2010. The law

58

For detailed information, see the following CRS reports: CRS Report RS22718, Trade Adjustment Assistance for
Workers (TAA) and Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA), by (name redacted); CRS Report RS20210,
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms: Economic, Program, and Policy Issues, by (name redacted); and CRS Report
R40206, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers, by (name redacted).

Congressional Research Service

30

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

also adds an additional 13 weeks to the maximum amount of time railroad workers may receive
extended unemployment benefits.
ARRA suspends income taxation on the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits received in 2009,
for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. It provides relief to states from the payment
and accrual of interest on federal loans to states for the payment of unemployment benefits, from
enactment of the stimulus package on February 17, 2009 through December 31, 2010.
ARRA provides for a special transfer of up to $7 billion in federal monies to state unemployment
programs as “incentive payments” for changing certain state UC laws. All incentive payments
must be made before October 1, 2011. States do not need to repay these sums to the federal
government. Any changes that states make to state unemployment programs as a result of
ARRA’s modernization provisions would be permanent. Finally, the act transfers a total of $500
million to the states for administering their unemployment programs, within 30 days of enactment
of the law. States do not need to repay these sums to the federal government.59

TANF and Child Support Enforcement (Division B, Title II,
Subtitle B)
Most funding to states under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is
provided through a block grant that totals $16.5 billion a year. TANF has additional funding
streams, however, including a $2 billion contingency fund for states that meet criteria of
economic need. ARRA retains the current TANF contingency fund and adds a new, temporary
“emergency contingency fund,” that provides extra funding to states in FY2009 and FY2010.
States receive extra federal grants to cover 80% of increased recession-related costs in those two
years. Recession-related costs are defined as increased basic assistance (for states with increased
basic assistance caseloads), non-recurrent short-term benefits, or subsidized employment
expenditures. A state’s cumulative combined funding from both the TANF contingency fund and
the temporary emergency fund is limited to 50% of its annual basic TANF block grant for the two
years. The ARRA provides an appropriation of $5 billion for the emergency fund.
ARRA also temporarily modifies the caseload reduction credit that applies toward TANF work
participation standards. Under existing TANF law, the credit reduces a state’s work participation
standard for caseload reduction that has occurred since FY2005 to the fiscal year prior to the
current fiscal year. If caseloads rise, the credit diminishes, raising the effective (after credit) work
participation standard. ARRA modifies the credit for the FY2009, FY2010, and FY2011
standards, allowing the credit to be based on caseload reduction through FY2007 or FY2008 for
those years. Thus, caseload increases occurring in FY2008 through FY2010 will not reduce
caseload reduction credits. Finally, under pre-ARRA law, states could reserve unspent TANF
grants without fiscal year limit for the purpose of providing cash welfare. ARRA allows states to
use unspent TANF grants for any TANF benefit and service.
Under the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program, the federal government provides matching
grants to states to reimburse them for part of the costs of running their programs. The federal
government also provides incentive payments to states to encourage them to operate effective
59

For detailed information, see CRS Report R40368, Unemployment Insurance Provisions in the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009, by (name redacted), (name redacted), and (name redacted).

Congressional Research Service

31

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

programs, and requires states to reinvest these incentive payments back into the CSE program or
related activities. ARRA requires HHS to temporarily provide federal matching funds on CSE
incentive payments that states reinvest back into the CSE program. (This practice had been
prohibited by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171).) This means that CSE incentive
payments received by states and reinvested in the CSE program can be used to draw down
additional federal funds. ARRA provides the federal matching funds for FY2009 and FY2010
(i.e., the period October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2010).60

Economic Recovery Payments (Division B, Title II, Subtitle C)
ARRA provides for a one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to certain individuals, to be
made by the Secretary of the Treasury within 120 days of enactment (before mid-June). The
payments will be made to those eligible persons who in November 2008, December 2008, or
January 2009, received benefits under: Social Security; Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
Railroad Retirement; and certain programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs
(i.e., disability compensation; pension; dependency indemnity compensation; and special
payments to disabled children of certain veterans).
To be eligible, Social Security recipients must be over age 18 (19 if in school). However, disabled
children receiving SSI also are eligible for the economic recovery payment. Individuals must live
in the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or one of the U.S. possessions, and will
receive only one payment even if they are beneficiaries of more than one eligible program (for
example, receiving both Social Security and veterans benefits).
Taxpayers cannot benefit from both the economic recovery payment and the Making Work Pay
tax credit (provided by Section 1001 of Division B of the act) in a single tax year. The economic
recovery payment will reduce the Making Work Pay Credit to be claimed for the 2009 tax year on
the tax return filed in 2010. The one-time payment may be offset for outstanding child support or
other federal or state debts, but will not be offset for Social Security or SSI overpayments. The
one-time payment is not counted as income for income tax purposes or as a resource for other
federal programs.
ARRA also created a $250 refundable credit against income taxes owed for tax year 2009 for
individuals who receive a government pension or annuity from work not covered by Social
Security, and who are not eligible to receive the one-time economic recovery payment described
above. This refundable credit will also reduce any Making Work Pay credit claimed on the tax
year 2009 return filed in 2010.61

Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits (Division B, Title III)
ARRA includes provisions to subsidize health insurance coverage provided through the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). ARRA includes COBRA
premium subsidies of 65% to help the unemployed afford health insurance coverage from their
60

For detailed information, see CRS Report R40211, Human Services Provisions of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, by (name redacted) et al..
61
For detailed information, see CRS Report R40188, Social Security Provisions in the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, by Scott Szymendera.

Congressional Research Service

32

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

former employer. The subsidy is available for up to 9 months to those individuals who meet the
income test and who are involuntarily terminated on or after September 1, 2008, and before
January 1, 2010. There is also a special extended enrollment period for two groups of
unemployed who were involuntarily terminated from their employment on or after September 1,
2008: (1) individuals who did not elect COBRA coverage at the time, and (2) individuals who had
chosen COBRA coverage after September 1, 2008, but dropped their coverage because they could
not afford the premiums. Members of these two groups are to be notified by their former
employer within 60 days of enactment and will have an additional 60 days after being notified to
elect COBRA and receive the subsidy. ARRA also allows employers to permit eligible individuals
the right to elect a different plan offered by their former employer, within 90 days of their
notification for the subsidy.
Individuals receiving the subsidy are required to pay no more than 35% of their COBRA
premium. The remaining 65% is paid by their former employer, who will be reimbursed through
either: (1) a credit against any tax liability for payroll taxes, or (2) if the premium subsidy exceeds
their tax liability, a refund. The full subsidy is available for individuals whose modified adjusted
gross income (AGI) during the tax year is no more than $125,000 for single filers (or $250,000
for joint filers). The subsidy is phased-out for higher income individuals with a reduced subsidy
for individuals with modified AGI less than $145,000 for single filers (and $290,000 for joint
filers). If individuals receive the subsidy and their income exceeds the levels specified above, the
amount of the subsidy will be recaptured when they file their income taxes. To avoid recapture
they may waive their rights to the subsidy and still enroll in COBRA and pay the full premium.
However, waiving their right is a permanent decision, and they would not be allowed to take the
subsidy in the future.62

Health Information Technology (Division B, Title IV) (Division A,
Title XIII)
Medicare and Medicaid Payments
Division B of ARRA amends the Medicare and Medicaid statutes to authorize incentive payments
for hospitals, physicians and other health care providers that adopt and use electronic health
record (EHR) technology. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Medicare and
Medicaid providers will receive a total of $32.7 billion in EHR bonuses over a 10-year period
(i.e., 2009-2019). (However, the provision is also estimated to achieve savings, resulting in the
lower overall cost cited earlier.) Beginning in 2011, the legislation provides Medicare incentive
payments to physicians and hospitals who are meaningful users (as defined in the act) of EHR
technology. Physicians are eligible for up to $44,000 in bonus payments; rural providers may
receive an additional 10%. Eligible hospitals receive a base amount of $2 million plus an amount
based on the number of patient discharges during the year. The hospital payments are adjusted
according to the share of Medicare patients and the amount of charity care provided. Both the
physician and hospital incentive payments are phased out over time and replaced in 2015 with
financial penalties for those who are not using EHR technology.

62

For detailed information, see CRS Report R40420, Health Insurance Premium Assistance for the Unemployed: The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, coordinated by (name redacted).

Congressional Research Service

33

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

In addition to the Medicare bonuses, ARRA authorizes a 100% federal match (or FMAP; see
discussion in next section) for payments to certain qualifying Medicaid providers—including
physicians and other eligible professionals, and acute-care and children’s hospitals—for the
acquisition and meaningful use of EHR technology. Physician payments cover up to 85% of
allowable EHR technology costs. Payments are capped at $63,750 and payable over a period of
up to six years. To qualify for Medicaid payments, physicians must pay the remaining 15% of
EHR technology costs and waive their right to any Medicare EHR incentives. The Medicaid
incentive payment for hospitals, also payable over a period of up to six years, is computed using a
modified version of the formula for Medicare hospital EHR payments, adjusted for the facility’s
Medicaid patient share. Eligible hospitals may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid EHR
incentives.

Office of the National Coordinator, Standards and Privacy
The Medicare/Medicaid health IT provisions included in Division B are a component of new
legislation, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act,
which is primarily contained in Title XIII of Division A of ARRA. The HITECH Act is aimed at
promoting the widespread adoption of HIT for the electronic sharing of clinical data among
hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers. The Act includes three sets of provisions.
First, it codifies the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
(ONCHIT) within HHS. Created by a presidential executive order in 2004, ONCHIT has played
an important role in directing HIT activities both inside and outside the federal government. It has
focused on developing technical standards necessary to achieve interoperability among varying
electronic health record applications; establishing criteria for certifying that HIT products meet
those standards; ensuring the privacy and security of electronic health information; and helping
facilitate the creation of prototype health information networks. The goal is to develop a national
capability to exchange standards-based health care data in a secure computer environment. The
HITECH Act requires the HHS Secretary, by December 31, 2009, to issue a comprehensive set of
initial HIT standards.
Second, the HITECH Act through a number of mechanisms provides financial incentives for HIT
use among health care providers. In addition to the Medicare/Medicaid provisions described
above, it establishes several grant programs to provide funding for investing in HIT
infrastructure, purchasing certified EHRs, training, and the dissemination of best practices. It also
authorizes grants to states for low-interest loans to help providers finance HIT. (See earlier
discussion of HHS funding under Division A, Title VIII, for information on appropriations for
these grants.) Finally, the HITECH Act includes a series of privacy and security provisions that
amend and expand the current federal standards under the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA). Among other things, it establishes a breach notification requirement
for health information that is not encrypted, strengthens enforcement of the HIPAA standards, and
creates transparency by allowing patients to request an audit trail showing all disclosures of their
electronic health information.63

63

For detailed information, see CRS Report R40161, The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical
Health (HITECH) Act, by (name redacted).

Congressional Research Service

34

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

State Fiscal Relief (Division B, Title V)
The federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is the rate at which states are reimbursed for
most Medicaid service expenditures. It is based on a formula that provides higher reimbursement
to states with lower per capita incomes relative to the national average (and vice versa); it has a
statutory minimum of 50% and maximum of 83%. In addition to Medicaid, the FMAP is used in
determining the federal share of certain other programs (e.g., foster care and adoption assistance
under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act) and serves as the basis for calculating an enhanced
FMAP that applies to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
During a recession adjustment period that begins with the first quarter of FY2009 and runs
through the first quarter of FY2011, ARRA provisions that are intended to provide fiscal relief to
states will hold all states harmless from any decline in their regular FMAPs, provide all states
with an across-the-board increase of 6.2 percentage points, and provide qualifying states with an
additional unemployment-related increase. The act further allows each territory to choose
between an FMAP increase of 6.2 percentage points along with a 15% increase in its spending
cap, or its regular FMAP along with a 30% increase in its spending cap. The full amount of the
temporary FMAP increase only applies to Medicaid (with some exceptions) and a portion of the
temporary FMAP increase (hold harmless plus across-the-board) applies to Title IV-E foster care
and adoption assistance. States must meet various requirements to qualify for the FMAP increase.
These FMAP provisions account for almost all (nearly 98%) of the spending under Title V of
Division B. Additional Medicaid provisions in the state fiscal relief title of ARRA include
temporarily increase Medicaid payment adjustments for hospitals that serve a disproportionate
number of low-income patients with special needs (known as DSH payments); extend existing
moratoria on implementation of certain Medicaid regulations issued in 2007 and 2008; extend
through December 2010 a program known as Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA), which
provides continued Medicaid benefits for certain low-income families who would otherwise lose
coverage because of changes in their income; extend through December 2010 the QI-1 program
that allows Medicaid to pay Medicare Part B premiums for certain low-income individuals who
are aged or have disabilities; and provide certain protections for Indians under Medicaid and
CHIP.64

Other Provisions (Division B, Titles VI and VII)
Division B includes two titles that are not budgetary in nature. Title VI (Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program) contains the authorization for the Broadband Technology Opportunities
Program at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).65 The
program is funded by discretionary appropriations made to NTIA in the Department of
Commerce.
Title VII (Limits on Executive Compensation) sets forth restrictions on the compensation of
executives of companies during the period in which any obligation arising from financial
64

For detailed information, see CRS Report R40223, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L.
111-5): Title V, Medicaid Provisions, coordinated by (name redacted).
65
For additional information on the BTOP authorization in ARRA, see CRS Report R40436, Broadband Infrastructure
Programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, by (name redacted).

Congressional Research Service

35

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5): Brief Summary

assistance provided under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) remains outstanding. The
Secretary of the Treasury is required to develop appropriate standards for executive
compensation. A Board Compensation Committee must be set up to review employee
compensation plans. Any annual or other meeting of the shareholders of a TARP recipient must
permit a separate, nonbinding shareholder vote to approve the compensation of executives.66

Summary of Tax and Public Finance Provisions67
Division B, Title I of ARRA includes tax provisions targeted to individuals, families, and
businesses. Other components of Title I include public finance measures designed to encourage
economic development investment, energy conservation and efficiency, and a provision to
increase the debt limit, which applies to federal debt held by the public and by the government.
Table 7, toward the end of this report, provides summary information on the level of revenue
changes (and mandatory spending) provided in ARRA.

Individual Income Tax Relief (Division B, Title I, Subtitle A)
In addition to the provisions mentioned previously in the economic recovery payments section of
this report, ARRA provides other temporary changes to certain individual income tax provisions.
The incentives target families and individuals, education, and housing.
Families and Individuals. ARRA enacts a temporary refundable tax credit of up to $400 for
individuals and $800 for married couples for tax years 2009 and 2010. The Making Work Pay Tax
Credit is calculated at a rate of 6.2% of earned income and will phase out for taxpayers with
modified adjusted gross income in excess of $75,000, or in the case of married couples filing
jointly, $150,000. The credit is estimated to cost $116.2 billion over 10 years. For taxpayers
receiving paychecks who also are subject to withholding, the credit will typically be handled by
their employers through automated withholding changes that began in early April. These changes
are expected to result in an increase in take-home pay. Taxpayers who do not have taxes withheld
by an employer during the year can also claim the credit on their 2009 tax return. Private pension
recipients are not eligible for the credit unless they have earned income.68
At an estimated 10-year cost of $14.8 billion, ARRA increases the eligibility for the refundable
child tax credit in 2009 and 2010. The child tax credit allows families with qualifying children
under the age of 17 a credit against their federal income tax, and for families with three or more
children, the child tax credit is refundable. The refundability of the credit depends on a minimum
level of household earnings, which, for 2008, was scheduled to be $12,550. ARRA reduces the
threshold to $3,000 permitting more taxpayers to use the additional child tax credit and increasing
the amount of the payments they may receive.69
66

Title VII is discussed in CRS Report RS22583, Executi

[Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.]

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3AR40537. Public record. Not legal advice.
