Congressman Steven Horsford Statement on Passage of Third Coronavirus Package | Congressman Steven Horsford
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Congressman Steven Horsford Statement on Passage of Third Coronavirus Package

March 27, 2020

Congressman Steven Horsford Statement on Passage of Third Coronavirus Package

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) joined his colleagues in the House in supporting the third coronavirus relief package, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act. This relief package expanded on the original proposal put forth by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Of the legislation, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) released the following statement:

"Over the past few days, I've joined the tireless fight to ensure that America's workers, families and small business owners receive the assistance they need during the economic devastation our country is now facing," Congressman Horsford said. "Right now, American and Nevadan families have very real fears for both for their economic safety and for the health and safety of their families. With this legislation, we're helping stop the spread of the virus and making sure that anyone who has lost their jobs, or is vulnerable, can continue to feed, shelter, and care for their families. I was eager to support this legislation and protect American livelihoods and American lives."

In the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Congressman Horsford fought for $1 billion in expanded unemployment insurance nationwide. Now, this third piece of legislation will increase the maximum unemployment benefit by $600 per week and ensure that laid-off workers, on average, will receive their full pay for four months. It also guarantees that all workers are protected whether they work for businesses small, medium or large, along with self-employed and workers in the gig economy. In addition to increased unemployment insurance payments, this legislation will also provide a one-time payment of $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples, and $500 per child per household.

This legislation provides $330 billion in new funding to address the needs of the American people as the United States confronts the coronavirus pandemic. The bill will help strained state, local, and tribal governments as they combat this pandemic; support hospitals and health care workers on the front lines of this public health crisis; fund the purchase of personal protective equipment and much needed medical equipment; support law enforcement and first responders; funding for scientists researching treatments and vaccines; support small businesses; support local schools and universities; and fund affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs.

Here are just a few of the numerous initiatives in this historic piece of legislation that will benefit the residents of Nevada.

  • A $150 Billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund: Creates a $150 billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide states and localities additional resources to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. It is estimated that our state of Nevada will receive approximately $ $1.25 billion in desperately needed funds to benefit our state's residents.
  • $260 Billion in Dramatically Expanded Unemployment Benefits: Includes numerous provisions to improve unemployment benefits including providing an additional $600 per week for the next four months, providing an additional 13 weeks of federally funded benefits, and expanding eligibility to include workers in the gig economy and self-employed workers.
  • Immediate Direct Cash Payments to Lower and Middle-Income Americans: Provides for immediate, direct cash payments to lower-and middle-income Americans of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child, beginning to phase out at an annual income of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a household. These payments will provide individuals with the cash they need right now to survive with much of the economy currently shut down.
  • More Than $375 Billion in Small Business Relief: Provides more than $375 billion in small business relief, including $349 billion for forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees and keep them on the payroll; $17 billion for debt relief for current and new SBA borrowers; and $10 billion in immediate disaster grants.
  • Approximately $200 Billion for Our Hospitals, Health Care Workers, and Health Research: Provides an investment of about $200 billion in our hospitals, health systems, and health research, including expanding funding for the personal protective equipment desperately needed by our health care workers, including ventilators, n95 masks, gowns, gloves, etc.
  • More Than $100 Billion in Additional Emergency Appropriations, Including the Following:
    • Transit Agencies: Provides $25 billion to transit agencies, which have all seen a drastic drop in revenues as social distancing has been implemented. This funding is to be used to protect the jobs of the employees of the transit agencies, funding their paychecks during this public health emergency. Our state of Nevada will receive $163 million under this program.
    • HUD Emergency Solution Grants: Provides $2 billion for HUD Emergency Solution Grants to states that will be distributed by formula. These grants are designed to address the impact of the coronavirus among individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and to support additional homeless assistance, prevention, and eviction prevention assistance. Of this $2 billion, our state will receive $13.5 million. In addition, the bill provides an additional $2 billion for these grants that will be allocated by HUD to the most hard-pressed areas.
    • Child Care and Development Block Grant: Supports child care and early education by providing $3.5 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Our state will receive $32.7 million under this emergency appropriation.
    • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Provides $900 million to help low-income families pay their heating and cooling bills. Our state will receive $7.7 million for this purpose during this public health emergency.
    • Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant Program: Provides $850 million for this program, giving additional support to state and local law enforcement agencies, thereby allowing them, for example, to obtain the personal protective equipment and other medical items they may need during this public health emergency. Our state will receive $11 million under this appropriation.
    • CDC Coronavirus State, Local and Tribal Grants Minimum Awards: Provides about $750 million in CDC State, Local, and . Tribal Grants Minimum Awards to help agencies cope with the public health emergency. The minimum award for our state is roughly $7.3 million. In addition, states can apply for additional funds above their minimum award, based on their needs.