Cleaver: This is what the $2 trillion stimulus package will do

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to plague our communities and the American economy, I wanted to reach out to share another update on what the United States Congress is doing to combat the virus and protect workers.

Many folks in the Fifth District of Missouri are, understandably, worried about the health of their family members, a friend furloughed from work, shuttered small businesses and schools, or all of the above. I want you to know that your health and safety are my first, second, and third priorities, and my office is here to help you as we navigate this trying time together.

This week, the United States Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the 3rd piece of legislation targeted toward COVID-19 and the largest stimulus legislation in American history.

The stimulus will provide hospitals and community health centers the funding they need to care for the rising numbers of Americans who are being hospitalized by COVID-19, as well as direct payments to individuals and friendly, low-interest loans to small businesses to protect American workers and small businesses who are facing a financial crisis.

Some provisions I want to highlight from the stimulus package include:

-$150 billion for hospitals, medical equipment, and health care worker protections

-$1,200 direct payments to Americans making $75,000 or less ($150,000 for joint-filers), including an additional $500 per child in qualifying households

-Americans making more than $75,000 will receive smaller sums of direct payments, with the payments being capped at $99,000

-$367 billion in small business loans

-$10 billion for Small Business Administration (SBA) grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for small business operating costs

-$150 billion for state and local governments to deal with the impacts of the crisis in their local communities

-$30 billion in emergency education funding
$45 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to state, local, tribal, and 

-territorial governments, as well as private nonprofits providing critical and essential services
Makes rent, mortgage and utility costs eligible for SBA loan forgiveness

-4 months of unemployment insurance instead of 3

There have already been discussions of a fourth bill to address the coronavirus crisis, and I will be sure to keep you updated as talks continue. If you’re a small business-owner seeking to apply for these loans, you can find more information on my website.

In Missouri, our number of confirmed cases is now over 500, with more than 60 of those cases coming from Kansas City. 

Health experts expect the numbers to continue to rise, so we must remain vigilant in our social-distancing practices to protect our state healthcare system and ensure the virus does not explode in our state the way it has in New York or Washington. 

That means everyone who can remain at home should do so for the next several weeks, which I hope you are already doing since Kansas City is under a shelter-in-place order.

As always, it’s critical that you’re getting the most accurate, up-to-date information on COVID-19, so please take a few minutes to check in with the CDC, Missouri Department of Health, and Kansas City Health Department websites. 

I’ve also compiled local resources and frequently asked questions on my website, which I hope you find useful. If you’d rather speak over the phone, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 816-842-4545 or the Missouri Department of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline at 877-435-8411.

We must all do our part to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and prevent the spread of this deadly virus. The safety of you and your loved ones is my highest priority. 

In the coming weeks, I will continue seeking every solution possible to address this crisis on behalf of the Fifth District of Missouri.