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Kaptur Applauds Passage of Coronavirus Stimulus Package and
the Emergency Relief it Sends to Ohio
Legislation includes funding
for Northern Ohio priorities that Kaptur fought to secure,
including investments to help families, workers, seniors,
healthcare professionals, and small businesses across our
region
On Friday, Congresswoman
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), chairwoman of the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, released the
following statement in response to the passage of historic
families and workers-first legislation, which will now go to
the President's desk for his signature.
"At this historic moment for
our beloved nation, we come together to pass the largest
federal boost to our economy in modern history," said Rep.
Kaptur. "This package is "For Our People." It will save
lives and our economy."
"Let me begin with a
heartfelt thank you to our first responders, medical
workers, grocery store workers, field hands and migrant
workers, municipal employees, drug store and pharmacy
employees, food bank volunteers, truck drivers and delivery
workers, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard
personnel, and non-profit Samaritans and volunteers of every
persuasion helping across America. Each of your tireless
efforts and dedication make this nation stronger.
"Our country is under attack
by an invisible foe. We have not experienced a threat of
this magnitude since Pearl Harbor when our nation found
itself quite ill-prepared to meet foreign foes. Today, we
vote on a $2.3 trillion response package that recognizes the
medical and economic horrors confronting the American
people. This legislation provides assurance and support to
those who need healing and a bridge toward a more secure
future.
"To America's medical
frontline, our families, workers, seniors, and small
businesses, we have heard your pleas for rescue. Today we
provide a lifeline.
"Because of Democratic
efforts, huge investments in hospitals, health systems and
state and local government will receive the resources they
desperately need to meet this pandemic.
"Democratic efforts won
significant increases in unemployment insurance benefits to
match average paychecks of laid-off or furloughed workers,
and direct cash payments to millions.
"Democratic pressure led to
significant expansion of fast relief for small businesses
and made rent, mortgages, and utility costs eligible for SBA
loan forgiveness.
"Because of Democratic
leadership, students will have billions for emergency
education funding and student loans will not bear income tax
on repayment assistance provided by an employer.
"And most importantly,
spending of the taxpayer dollars will be held accountable
with oversight, preventing secret bailouts to the wealthiest
friends of this Administration.
This legislation is bold.
But is not an immediate cure all. More action is required
soon.
"This global pandemic
exposed the reality the Heartland of our nation has known
for decades. We cannot rely on foreign manufacturing for
vital, daily essentials, surely medical supplies. It is
overtime for this Administration to bring the full force of
the Defense Production Act online, but more importantly to
then partner with Congress to rebuild America's security
through domestic manufacturing.
"Too many Americans have
already lost their lives in this crisis because of missed
warnings, ignored alarms, and disregard for our industrial
base and vital medical supply lines. With Congress next
turning to a legislative solution to provide robust economic
recovery, we cannot ignore the elephant in the room.
"We must do everything to
rebuild our strategic medical stockpile through American
manufacturing ingenuity. American lives are at stake now and
in the future. We make America great again by healing her
people and rebuilding her domestic medical production! I
fully support today's bipartisan response package."
Here are just a few of the
numerous initiatives in this historic piece of legislation
that will benefit the residents of Ohio:
* A $150 Billion State
and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund: Creates a $150 billion
State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide states
and localities additional resources to cope with the
coronavirus pandemic. It is estimated that our state of Ohio
will receive approximately $4.53<https://www.cbpp.org/research/how-much-each-state-will-receive-from-the-coronavirus-relief-fund-in-the-cares-act>
billion in desperately needed funds to benefit our state's
residents.
* $260 Billion in
Dramatically Expanded Unemployment Benefits: Includes
numerous provisions to improve unemployment benefits
including providing an additional $600 per week for the next
four months, providing an additional 13 weeks of federally
funded benefits, and expanding eligibility to include
workers in the gig economy and self-employed workers.
* Immediate Direct Cash
Payments to Lower and Middle-Income Americans: Provides for
immediate, direct cash payments to lower-and middle-income
Americans of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child,
beginning to phase out at an annual income of $75,000 for an
individual and $150,000 for a household. These payments will
provide individuals with the cash they need right now to
survive with much of the economy currently shut down.
* More Than $375 Billion
in Small Business Relief: Provides more than $375 billion in
small business relief, including $349 billion for forgivable
loans to small businesses to pay their employees and keep
them on the payroll; $17 billion for debt relief for current
and new SBA borrowers; and $10 billion in immediate disaster
grants.
* Approximately $200
Billion for Our Hospitals, Health Care Workers, and Health
Research: Provides an investment of about $200 billion in
our hospitals, health systems, and health research,
including expanding funding for the personal protective
equipment desperately needed by our health care workers,
including ventilators, n95 masks, gowns, gloves, etc.
* More Than $100 Billion
in Additional Emergency Appropriations, Including the
Following:
* Transit Agencies:
Provides $25 billion to transit agencies, which have all
seen a drastic drop in revenues as social distancing has
been implemented. This funding is to be used to protect the
jobs of the employees of the transit agencies, funding their
paychecks during this public health emergency. Ohio will
receive $474,118,324 under this program.
* HUD Emergency
Solution Grants: Provides $2 billion for HUD Emergency
Solution Grants to states that will be distributed by
formula. These grants are designed to address the impact of
the coronavirus among individuals and families who are
homeless or at risk of homelessness, and to support
additional homeless assistance, prevention, and eviction
prevention assistance. Of this $2 billion, Ohio will receive
$91,234,014. In addition, the bill provides an additional $2
billion for these grants that will be allocated by HUD to
the most hard-pressed areas.
* Child Care and
Development Block Grant: Supports childcare and early
education by providing $3.5 billion for the Child Care and
Development Block Grant. Ohio will receive $116,574,845
under this emergency appropriation.
* Low-Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Provides $900 million to
help low-income families pay their heating and cooling
bills. Ohio will receive $12,605,000 for this purpose during
this public health emergency.
* Byrne-Justice
Assistance Grant Program: Provides $850 million for this
program, giving additional support to state and local law
enforcement agencies, thereby allowing them, for example, to
obtain the personal protective equipment and other medical
items they may need during this public health emergency. Our
state will receive $25,244,475 under this appropriation.
* CDC Coronavirus
State, Local and Tribal Grants Minimum Awards: Provides
about $750 million in CDC State, Local, and . Tribal Grants
Minimum Awards to help agencies cope with the public health
emergency. The minimum award for our state is $17,357,000.
In addition, states can apply for additional funds above
their minimum award, based on their needs.
* Election
Assistance: Provides $400 million for Election Assistance
Grants for states to help prepare for the 2020 elections.
Coronavirus is already resulting in the postponement of some
primaries and this funding can help states make voting safer
for individuals. Funding can be used, for example, to
increase the ability to vote by mail, expand early voting,
and expand online registration. Ohio will receive
$12,800,802 for these purposes.
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