(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)Yesterday we passed both government funding for FY 2021 and a new COVID-19 relief bill.
The legislation continues government funding until the end of the next fiscal year and addresses the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic to extend various programs for working families and small businesses.
Many of you have been eagerly anticipating passage of the COVID-19 relief legislation so I am pleased to share some information about the bill.
Most importantly, the law will provide more funding to keep people working and send help to those who need it most.
COVID Stimulus for America’s Recovery
So many of our small businesses and hard-working individuals have struggled during this pandemic. It is imperative we keep businesses open so workers can continue earning a paycheck. This bill will help achieve that by extending the Paycheck Protection Program to help businesses who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic to receive help to pay their employees and necessary expenses. It also allows businesses to qualify for other loans, if necessary, to keep their doors open.
Extra assistance is available for especially hard-hit industries like restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, bus companies, and other tourism-related businesses.
Individuals will also be receiving a boost with a $600 stimulus check for every member of the household under the age of 17 and a $300 per week supplemental unemployment payment will be available for 10 weeks for those without work.
Schools and rural hospitals will be receiving needed funding and vaccine production and distribution will continue to have the funding it needs to get out to our communities.
Individuals will also be receiving a boost with a $600 stimulus check for every member of the household under the age of 17 and a $300 per week supplemental unemployment payment will be available for 10 weeks for those without work.
Schools and rural hospitals will be receiving needed funding and vaccine production and distribution will continue to have the funding it needs to get out to our communities.
The recent milestone of having two vaccines approved and going out to protect our healthcare workers and most vulnerable is so encouraging. We need to keep up the production of this vaccine and make it available to everyone so we can defeat this virus and get life back to normal.
In the meantime, we need to help those who are struggling. The COVID relief bill approved this week sends additional money to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that will be added for individuals struggling financially and provide rental assistance for those who haven’t been able to pay their rent due to the pandemic.
The legislation also extends the eviction moratorium for renters until January 31, 2021. Additional funding was also provided for senior nutrition programs and local food banks. Unemployment benefits (UI) are extended for 11 weeks.
Lastly, money is allocated to help rural communities by providing assistance to farmers and expanding rural broadband. Both are needed. Low commodity prices and high input costs have eliminated or severely reduced profit margins for our farmers and ranchers.
Lastly, money is allocated to help rural communities by providing assistance to farmers and expanding rural broadband. Both are needed. Low commodity prices and high input costs have eliminated or severely reduced profit margins for our farmers and ranchers.
The problem has only been compounded by supply disruptions during the pandemic. The bill provides $13 billion to assist our agriculture sector and help them remain competitive in domestic and global markets.
In addition, this legislation provides $300 million more for rural broadband funding and $250 million for telehealth. This is welcome news to the thousands of students who have moved to on-line or remote learning during the pandemic and the seniors who would like to access their doctor via telemedicine, but they are not able to connect to these resources without high speed internet.
I am hopeful this targeted COVID-relief package will see Americans through until we are on the other side of this pandemic. In the meantime, let’s continue to take common sense precautions, look after each other, and see the good around us each day.
In addition, this legislation provides $300 million more for rural broadband funding and $250 million for telehealth. This is welcome news to the thousands of students who have moved to on-line or remote learning during the pandemic and the seniors who would like to access their doctor via telemedicine, but they are not able to connect to these resources without high speed internet.
I am hopeful this targeted COVID-relief package will see Americans through until we are on the other side of this pandemic. In the meantime, let’s continue to take common sense precautions, look after each other, and see the good around us each day.
Important Initiatives in the 2021 Spending Bill
The FY 2021 Omnibus bill which provides government funding for next year contains several of my priorities, ranging from support for the military and law enforcement to expansion of rural broadband and addressing health care costs.
It provides increased support for our Armed Forces, further funding for the development of rural broadband capabilities and funding for continued construction of border enforcements to address our illegal immigration problem.
The measure also rejects efforts to defund the police and ends the unfair practice of surprise billing in hospitals which has become a major hindrance to those dealing with rising health care costs.
Specific initiatives include:
Strengthening our military
Provides our military with the resources to defend our nation and advance U.S. national security. This includes a 3% pay raise for the troops and provides the resources to continue rebuilding our military, deterring adversaries, and defending our national security interests
Expanding rural broadband
Provides $730M in USDA broadband programs, including $635M in ReConnect while investing $300M for new National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grants to support broadband infrastructure deployment to areas lacking broadband, especially rural areas. The grants would be issued to qualifying partnerships between state and local governments and fixed broadband providers.
Supporting our law enforcement
Rejects Democrat efforts to defund the police and provides strong support for our nation’s federal, state, and local law enforcement through increased funding and further availability of COPS grants for the hiring of police officers.
Addressing the cost of health care
Ends surprise medical billing by providing a true and honest cost estimate for patients three days prior to scheduled health procedures.
Continuing the fight against Opioid Addiction and Alzheimer’s
The scourge of opioid addiction continues to plague our nation, and this legislation continues to fund Drug Courts in our region which help deal with this opioid problem. The measure also provides nearly $4 billion in research funds to continue the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Investing in flood control
Includes language from the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 to advance investment in our nation’s water infrastructure and inclusion of critical provisions important to flood control in Missouri and throughout the Midwest.
Strengthens our border
Provides the Trump Administration flexibility to build the wall and manage detention needs along the border, including $1.375 billion in new funding for the wall and additional funding for border security technology and enforcement
I believe that these legislative initiatives will help our nation recover from this pandemic while effectively funding important priorities that help address the needs of all Americans
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