Plan • Red Cross Blood Donations Talks Ongoing For $908B COVID Aid Package

COMMUNITY NEWS Talks Ongoing For $908B COVID Aid Package

Editor’s note: On Dec. 16, Republicans and Democrats in Congress were reported to be nearing an agreement with the White House on a “targeted pandemic relief package” as a Friday midnight deadline loomed. The proposal may include stimulus checks of $600 to $700 to individuals and unemployment aid. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said legislators would not leave until there is an agreement. •••

On Dec. 3, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), his bipartisan congressional colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus, and a bipartisan group of senators announced a $908 billion COVID-19 emergency relief framework. The package would provide support to small businesses, local and state governments, students, renters and healthcare providers during the pandemic.

The proposal was formulated and supported by the 25 Democrats, including Congressman Panetta, and the 25 Republican members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in coordination with Senators Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Susan Collins (Maine), Mark Warner (Virginia), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Angus King (Maine), Mitt Romney (Utah), and Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire).

The framework of the targeted package allocates $908 billion in total aid, including both new funding and the reallocation of previously appropriated CARES Act funding. The legislation would focus resources to the following key categories: • Paycheck Protection Program including restaurants, stages, and deductibility - $288 billion State, Local, and Tribal Governments - $160 billion Additional Unemployment Insurance - $180 billion Education Funding - $82 billion Transportation (Airlines, Airports, Buses, Transit, Amtrak) - $45 billion Healthcare Provider Relief Fund - $35B Nutrition/Agriculture - $26 billion Rental Housing Assistance - $25 billion Vaccine Development and Distribution, Testing, Tracing - $16 billion CDFI/MDI Community Lender Support - $12 billion • U.S. Postal Service - $10 billion • Child Care - $10 billion • Broadband Funding - $10 billion • Opioid Treatment - $5 billion • Student Loans - $4 billion

The proposal would provide short-term federal protection from coronavirus-related lawsuits to give states times to develop their own response.

“Right now, there are Americans that are hurting due to this bruising pandemic and damaging economic restrictions. In my community, in addition to the health crisis, people are out of work and small businesses are closing their doors under incredible financial strain,” said Panetta. “Our Problem Solvers Caucus bipartisan, bicameral package delivers targeted relief to our country’s healthcare providers, families, employees, and employers. It’s past time for Congress to play its part, get back to the negotiating table, and provide the needed support for the central coast of California and communities nationwide.”

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