Rep. Langevin lists its main points
Congressman
Jim Langevin (D-RI) today voted in favor of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security (CARES) Act, a bipartisan relief package to support working families,
bolster health care systems, assist state and local governments, and stabilize
the nation’s economy as communities grapple with the novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) public health crisis. The package, which will provide more than $2
trillion to individuals and businesses, passed the Senate unanimously on
Wednesday. It now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. Here is Jim Langevin's description
“In these unprecedented times, the CARES Act is
the unprecedented response we need to help the families, workers and small
businesses that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. This pandemic has
already inflicted an enormous toll, but through our bipartisan efforts, we have
passed a sweeping relief package that will begin to meet the magnitude of the
threat we face today.
“In recent weeks, my priority has been to keep
people safe and provide immediate assistance to hardworking people, mom-and-pop
shops and restaurants, and frontline medical professionals who are giving it their
all during these difficult times. I have taken every opportunity to connect
with Rhode Islanders to hear directly how this pandemic has affected them. As
we face a staggering rise in unemployment claims, I’m pleased that this package
builds on our previous relief efforts and includes many provisions to meet some
of our most pressing issues head on and ultimately protect the nation’s
economy.
“With passage of the CARES Act, we will put money
into the hands of people so they can provide for their families and weather
this emergency. As small business owners across the nation contemplate their
futures and those of their workers, this bill pushes to make them whole through
bridge loans that will be forgiven if businesses retain their employees. To save
lives and keep Americans healthy, we are also making desperately needed
investments to better prepare our medical facilities and provide our nurses and
doctors with the lifesaving equipment they need to protect themselves and their
patients. With surging cases locally, Rhode Island has experienced incredible
hardship. Included in the CARES Act is vital funding for state and local
governments, including $1.25 billion in support for the Ocean State.
“This crisis is already one of the worst most of
us have seen in our lifetimes, but it is not insurmountable. Congress has
collectively acted to put the people of America first. It is heartbreaking that
Americans find themselves in this uncertainty by no fault of their own, but I
will continue to fight each day to make sure that we rise from this stronger
than before.”
The
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provides:
- $1,200 one-time payment per adult and $500 per child;
these payments will phase out for individuals making more than $75,000 (or
couples making more than $150,000)
- A $600 a week boost to unemployment insurance benefits
for 4 months
- A temporary unemployment insurance program for
part-time, self-employed, gig economy, and other non-traditional workers
- Backing for $350 billion in loans to help small
businesses and nonprofits make payroll and pay rent; the loans will be
forgiven for businesses that don’t lay off workers
- $150 billion for Coronavirus Relief Fund for state
aide, including $1.25 billion for Rhode Island
- $100 billion for health care providers to cover
coronavirus-related costs
- $27 billion for the Public Health and Social Services
Emergency Fund
- $30.75 billion for the Education Stabilization Fund to
support local school systems and higher education institutions
- $15.8 billion in additional funding for SNAP to
confront food insecurity and emergency funding for other nutrition
programs, including $8.8 billion for child nutrition programs and $450
million for food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program
- $45 billion for FEMA Disaster Relief Fund for state, local, and tribal governments