Dear Friends,

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with the latest updates as we continue to combat the Coronavirus outbreak. My top priority is to work on the Coronavirus response, and I will continue to remain in close contact with the Trump Administration’s Coronavirus task force, my colleagues in Congress, as well as local officials and health professionals in Louisiana to ensure that swift action to address this crisis continues.

Below you will find some information courtesy of the House Ways and Means Committee. Additionally, while many of my staff are teleworking, my offices are open and available by phone, email and through my website so that we can respond to all constituent questions and concerns. I will continue to keep my website updated with the most accurate and timely information.

What has Congress done?

On March 6^th, President Trump signed H.R. 6047 the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act into law. The bill provided $8.3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for federal, state, and local responses to the Coronavirus. 

H.R. 6201 – the second Coronavirus bill – was signed into law by President Trump on Wednesday, March 18^th. This legislation expands testing for all Americans, provides paid sick leave for workers impacted by the Coronavirus, and supports small businesses by giving them the flexibility needed to care for their employees and remain open. 

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions on Coronavirus Legislation.

Assistance for Small Businesses

H.R. 6047 – the first Coronavirus bill – allowed $1 billion in loan subsidies to be made available to help small businesses which have been impacted by financial losses as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Additionally, H.R. 6201 – the second Coronavirus bill – includes a refundable payroll tax credit to reimburse, dollar-for-dollar, local businesses for paid sick leave and family and medical leave wages paid to employees that are affected by COVID-19. Click here for an explanation of who is eligible and for what amounts.

Louisiana small businesses experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to Coronavirus are now eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). You can apply online here.

For additional questions, you can contact the SBA at (800) 659-2955, or the New Orleans regional SBA office at (504) 589-6685.

Click here for an overview of the resources available to small businesses.

Update on Testing and Supplies

The second Coronavirus bill requires free access to Coronavirus testing, ensuring there are no cost barriers to these tests. It also included $1.2 billion to help cover the costs of testing, including $142 million to directly help our servicemembers and veterans.

The Trump Administration is working with industry partners to increase capacity. Additionally, the Administration has moved quickly to grant tariff exclusions to reduce the cost of a broad range of medical and health-related items, including hospital gowns and headwear, medical gloves, face masks, surgical drapes, biohazard bags, cleansing wipes, anti-microbial linens, and protective glasses.

Yesterday, President Trump announced an expansion in telehealth. Medicare beneficiaries will now have the option to replace an in-person doctor’s visit using telemedicine by phone or video conference, and the appointment does not have to necessarily be related to Coronavirus.

Tax Payment Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The filing deadline for tax returns remains April 15, 2020. The IRS urges taxpayers who are owed a refund to file as quickly as possible. For those who can’t file by the April 15, 2020 deadline, the IRS reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request a six-month extension to file their return.

Individuals: Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due. This payment relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals, and all entities other than C-Corporations, such as trusts or estates. IRS will automatically provide this relief to taxpayers. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this relief.

Corporations: For C Corporations, income tax payment deadlines are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $10 million of their 2019 tax due. This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.

Travel Restrictions

The United States has issued several Travel Health Notices related to the COVID-19 outbreak. For a full list of travel advisories, visit the CDC’s website here.

Upcoming Action

A phase three package is currently under consideration in Congress to provide further assistance for our economy. The Trump Administration is seeking secured funds for industries that are taking a substantial hit due to this pandemic. They also want to provide cash assistance to all Americans, with the amount being dependent on income level and family size. Additionally, they want to create a loan program for small businesses who are offering paid leave to their workers at this time.

Louisiana Resources

The Louisiana Department of Health continues to closely monitor this outbreak and shares twice-daily updated case numbers online.

The Louisiana Department of Education has several resources for families, including a list of school meal sites and a toolkit to support learning at home, as well as the most accurate information and guidance for schools and learning centers.

It is an honor to represent you in Congress. For more information please visit my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.


God Bless,