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Newhouse Votes to Support Third Coronavirus Relief Package

March 27, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after voting to support the Senate amendment to H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act (CARES Act):

"It is clear this pandemic is having a profound impact on the American people. It is our job to ensure this impact is not a lasting one," said Rep. Newhouse. "It is especially clear just how this devastating crisis is to rural communities like ours in Central Washington."

He continued, "This unprecedented relief bill is a response to unprecedented times, and I was proud to work to ensure it will provide desperately-needed relief to rural hospitals, support our indispensable agriculture industry, and provide stability for workers and small business owners who are the backbone of our local economies. Viruses come and go, but the people of Central Washington are resilient. I voted to support the CARES Act to ensure our rural communities remain strong through this crisis and into the future."

Click here to watch Rep. Newhouse's remarks on the House floor.

Click here for the full text of the bill.

Background:

The CARES Act will provide desperately needed resources to healthcare providers and patients, deliver relief to American workers, families, small businesses, and industries; and stabilize our economy during these unprecedented times.

Specifically, the bill includes:

1. Income for American families

  • One-time tax rebate check up to $1200 per individual and $500 per child
  • Not reduced for lower income Americans
  • Reduced for higher income earners, starting at $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for head of household, and $150,000 for married couples
  • Expanded unemployment insurance for up to four months

2. Small business assistance

  • New Small Business Administration-backed loan program to help small businesses pay for expenses
  • Loans taken by small businesses to keep employees on payroll will be forgiven
  • Nonprofits will also be eligible for this program
  • Federal government will have 8 weeks of cash flow forgiven at 100%
  • Businesses have until June 30 to keep or rehire their staff

3. Assistance to distressed job creators

  • $208 billion in loans to passenger and cargo air as well as other industries severely impacted by the pandemic and businesses critical to national security

4. Ensuring access to care for all Americans

  • Increase in Medicare reimbursement rate to assist providers caring for our most vulnerable population
  • Increases in access to testing by allowing the Strategic National Stockpile to stockpile swabs necessary for test kits
  • Allows the FDA to quickly approve the use of new medication and treatments
  • Facilities the use of new and innovative telemedicine technology to protect and contain the spread of COVID-19

5. Direct funding to combat the pandemic ($330 billion)

  • Money for states, cities, localities to fight the pandemic
  • Support for healthcare workers and hospitals
  • Funding for personal protective equipment
  • Support for local responders
  • Funding for the research of new treatments and vaccines
  • Support for small businesses
  • Support for local colleges and universities
  • Funding for affordable housing
Issues:Health Care