Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them.

The stimulus package also includes $4 billion in funding for the MTA.

In a statement to News 12, the agency's chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said in part, "This crucial funding will allow us to get through 2021 without devastating service cuts and layoffs of over 9,000 colleagues."

Foye had warned a lack of new relief money would lead to painful cuts on the Long Island Rail Road, subways, and bus service.

He adds that the agency still faces a gaping deficit in the years to come, but that this federal aid is a good first step.