Dear Friend,

Vermont and our country are hurting.  Individuals and families are trying to figure out how to make ends meet.  Small businesses are struggling to keep the lights on.  Students are unable to go to school.  And our hospitals and providers are caring for our loved ones without the proper equipment and protection. 

Put simply - we are in a crisis.

During this unprecedented time, we all have a role to play to mitigate the impact of this pandemic on our friends, family, and neighbors.  As your Member of Congress and fellow Vermonter, I will do all I can to help during and after this crisis.

I want to share the following information, updates, and resources that I hope will be helpful.  

First, Congress has passed three emergency bills to help address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

•  On March 5, 2020, the House passed an $8.3 billion emergency funding bill to help states and frontline providers respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. This bill was signed into law by the President on March 6, 2020.
•  On March 14, 2020, I voted in favor of a second emergency aid package, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), to begin addressing the personal safety and financial security of Americans impacted by COVID-19. It provided paid emergency leave for employees, increased food  security assistance for the most vulnerable, and increased funding for Medicaid. The bill was signed into law by the President on March 18, 2020. 
•  On March 27, 2020, I strongly supported the largest ever economic recovery bill in our country’s history. The $2.2 trillion package, which was signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020, included many provisions that I fought for:
  • increased unemployment insurance benefits,
  • $1,200 cash rebates for most Americans,
  • aid to our hospitals and providers,
  • funding for our small businesses and their employees, and
  • emergency funding relief for our state government.

Second, below are some online resources with the most up-to-date information on what you should know about COVID-19, state and local updates, and travel advisories.  

• General information - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Status in Vermont - Vermont Department of Health
• Travel information - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Travel Information (2) - U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs
• Avoid Coronavirus Scams – Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Guidance for Businesses - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Third, I urge you to continue to help your fellow Vermonters in their time of need. We must follow the public health guidelines to “social distance”, but we must not “emotionally distance” from others. Please take the time to check in (call, FaceTime, text, email) with your friends, family, and neighbors during this difficult time. And please visit the websites of the following Vermont organizations if you wish to contribute to their missions to help Vermonters cope with the pandemic.

• Vermont Food Bank
• Vermont Community Foundations VT COVID-19 Response Fund
• Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS)

We have more work to do to fully address this crisis. I can assure you that I will continue to fight for Vermont families and the most vulnerable among us.

We are all in this together.

Sincerely,

 Peter Welch