Congresswoman Moore Applauds the Passage of Families & Workers-First Coronavirus Response Package
Washington,
March 27, 2020
Congresswoman Moore Applauds the Passage of Families & Workers-First Coronavirus Response Package “The coronavirus pandemic demands urgent action to bolster our health care response, support small businesses, working Americans and families, stabilize our economy and equip state, local and tribal governments with the resources to respond to this public health crisis. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act takes meaningful steps to address these needs. Unfortunately, more than 1,000 Americans including at least 12 Wisconsinites have lost their lives to the coronavirus so far. And with cases increasing in Wisconsin and elsewhere, now is not the time to let up. Testing is still not widely available and our frontline responders, including police firefighters, doctors, nurses and other health care providers continue to express concerns about shortages of personal protective equipment and other needed medical supplies. The CARES Act supports the selfless Americans on the frontlines of the crisis: health care workers. This legislation helps address the needs of our health care workers and hospitals, who desperately need protective medical equipment including masks, gowns and gloves to keep themselves and others safe. State, local and tribal governments are also on the frontlines of the pandemic and will receive supplemental federal appropriations to mitigate soaring expenses such as increased spending on public health and Medicaid. The public health measures we are enacting to respond to the outbreak and slow its spread are causing severe economic disruptions with damaging effects that are reverberating through our society. In Wisconsin, more than 135,000 people have filed for unemployment in a span of less than two weeks. Nationwide, initial unemployment claims soared to nearly 3.3 million. I am proud that Senate and House Democrats fought hard to secure expanded unemployment benefits to help workers whose lives have been upended from businesses laying off or furloughing workers. My Democratic colleagues steered negotiations with Republicans to put forward legislation that puts working people first rather than corporations. While this legislation puts money in the pockets of Americans, many of whom struggling to make ends meet, a one-time payment falls short of what so many Americans need to weather the coronavirus crisis and economic downturn. I will continue to advocate for monthly cash distribution until this public health emergency is over. I am also keenly focused on advancing additional federal legislation that will provide assistance with out-of-pocket costs related to COVID treatment and assistance for individuals who lose coverage with the loss of a job. I am grateful that this bill secure substantial funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDCG) that will help states and counties can expand food banks, childcare facilities and other program centers critical to meeting the needs of communities during the pandemic. This legislation also guarantees rental assistance protections for low-income Americans and enhances health housing initiatives for homeless individuals and families. These provisions will lead to crucial support to mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic on working Americans and housing insecure individuals. The bill provides a 4-month moratorium on evictions for four months to protect renters who are unable to pay their rent. These efforts will provide more stability to Americans facing economic and housing disruption . I support this legislation but also recognize that more work needs to be done. I am committed to building upon these efforts with my colleagues.” Key funding provisions The CARES Act Secures Funding to Support Health Care Workers and Hospitals, Small Businesses, Workers and Families, including:
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