Newhouse, WA Delegation Request Priorities for COVID-19 Response

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined the Washington state congressional delegation in sending a letter to House leadership, making requests for priorities in the next COVID-19 response package.

"As you consider provisions for the next coronavirus-related stimulus package, we hope you will consider the following proposals, many of which were developed by Washington state officials and our local communities who are working tirelessly to mitigate the deep economic impacts that our state is already experiencing, and that are beginning to expand nationwide," wrote the lawmakers.

The letter requests the following provisions.

• Ensure that all federal resources provided to support communities, workers, and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic are made available retroactively to the date on which a state, local, or tribal government first declared a state of emergency related to COVID-19.
• Expand direct access to economic assistance through increased investment in the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
• Increase investments in existing Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs to ensure individuals are not displaced as a result of COVID-19 related financial hardship and that communities have the resources they need to continue providing essential services throughout the duration of this epidemic.
• Create parity for Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations by providing guaranteed direct access to all federal funding streams and resources created to combat, prevent, and mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Employ tax incentives to provide direct assistance to individuals impacted by prolonged social distancing protocols.
• Leverage the expertise of federal agencies to develop and disseminate best-practices to businesses and local communities to help further mitigate long-term impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Click here for the full text of the letter.

Click here to access Coronavirus Resources for Central Washington.

Background:

On March 5, Rep. Newhouse joined Vice President Mike Pence in Washington state to tour the Emergency Operations Center and meet with Governor Jay Inslee to ensure federal support for state and local efforts to combat COVID-19.

On March 6, President Trump signed into law a $8.3 billion emergency package to combat the spread of Coronavirus. Rep. Newhouse supported the passage of the spending bill in the House.

On March 9, Rep. Newhouse joined the Washington state delegation to send a letter to Vice President Pence urging further coordination of a robust federal response to the outbreak.

"We recognize that, as the first state to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak of this magnitude, eyes around the country are closely watching the Washington state response," the delegation wrote. "We thank you in advance for your efforts to mitigate the outbreak in our communities, and across the country, and we look forward to continuing our joint efforts to keep our communities safe." Click here to read the full letter.

On March 11, during a House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee hearing, Rep. Newhouse engaged with the Department of Energy Office Science Director Chris Fall on the capabilities of the national lab network, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Tri-Cities, to assist in the efforts to counter COVID-19. Click here to watch the video.

On March 12, Rep. Newhouse joined a bipartisan group of 29 lawmakers to call for urgent action and clarity from the Small Business Administration to assist small businesses being impacted by COVID-19 and related containment efforts.

The letter reads, "Congress approved $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, including $20 million for the Small Business Administration and up to $7 billion in low-interest disaster loans to assist small businesses impacted by this public health crisis. It is our responsibility to ensure that small businesses across the country know that we are looking out for them." Click here to read the full letter.

On March 14, Rep. Newhouse voted to support H.R 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.