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WEEK IN REVIEW
Dear Friend,
First, I want to thank the nurses, doctors, truck drivers, delivery drivers, first responders, and all of our essential workers on the front lines of COVID-19. These heroes are working day-in and day-out to help save lives and to keep our world moving.
But these Iowans are not alone. Our local banks and lenders are working around the clock to help our small businesses get the relief they need. Our farmers and producers continue to help feed and fuel the world. And, of course, our friends, neighbors, and fellow Iowans are stepping up to help each other out during this pandemic.
It really is inspiring, and it reminds me of how blessed I am to serve and represent everyone in our state. Even during this pandemic, I’ve continued to make it my top priority to listen to and hear from Iowans in every corner and county of the state. We will get through this, together.
More Relief is on the Way
Almost immediately after we passed the bipartisan Phase 3 relief package, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was implemented, I heard from Iowans about the success of this program. In Iowa alone, nearly 30,000 small businesses have been approved for loans, and $4.3 billion in funds have been approvedallowing these critical local employers to pay both their workers and their bills.
Fortunately, this week, Congress passed and the president signed into law an additional COVID-19 relief package, which includes more funding for the PPP and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, a fix to allow Iowa’s agriculture community to benefit from EIDLs, support for health care providers, and additional funding for testing.
Ending Taxpayer Funding of Chinese ‘Wet Markets’
This week, I teamed up with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to propose legislation to ban Iowans’ tax dollars from being spent at China’s unregulated wet markets ever again. While the Trump Administration ended a government project that helped subsidize meat markets in China, there’s no laws on the books to prevent future administrations from recklessly spending hardworking Iowa taxpayers’ money at these markets.
I joined Hannity to discuss my bill that would put a permanent end to this practice.
Click here or on the image above to watch my interview.
KELO-FM noted, “Even after the SARS pandemic, which occurred over two decades ago, was believed to have transferred from animals to humans at a wet market in China, previous administrations continued to spend federal dollars to subsidize unregulated wet markets.”
The Washington Examiner also reported on my bipartisan proposal, stating, “Wet markets in China have come under recent scrutiny after the one in Wuhan was tied to early cases of COVID-19. Earlier this month, dozens of members of Congress called for a global ban on the markets, which have reportedly reopened in China. Ernst, Braun, Manchin, and Merkley hope to ensure that taxpayer money is never spent at these markets ‘ever again.’”
I’m also opposing any federal funding for China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), also believed to have played a key role in the coronavirus outbreak.
Supporting Iowa’s Ag Economy
While every sector has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, developments in the last week risk dramatically changing the condition of our food supply chain. In Iowa alone, there have been several major processing plant closures due to their hardworking employees being infected by COVID-19.
We must ensure the health and safety of workers while maintaining a strong and secure food supply chain. This week, in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the White House coronavirus task force, I called on the administration to ensure our food supply chain remains strong from farmer to packer to kitchen table.
The pandemic has also caused unprecedented damage to the livestock, dairy, and specialty crop industriesand we need to ensure they get relief. So in addition to what we secured in the Phase 3 package, I’m also urging the administration to eliminate payment limits for Iowa’s livestock, dairy and specialty crop producers, so they can get the relief they need during COVID-19.
After speaking with Secretary Perdue last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to establish a coordination center to help producers like so many in Iowa affected by the meat processing plant closures. I’m thankful to see him put plans in place to provide guidance, support, and resources to Iowa pork producers during this trying time.
Assistance for Iowa’s Child Care Providers
Iowa was facing a child care crisis even before the pandemic. That’s why I’ve been fighting tirelessly for our child care providers to ensure quality, affordable, and accessible child care for our families and children.
After working across the aisle, I helped secure nearly $32 million in funding for Iowa to support access to child care and child care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our child care providers have continued to provide stability and support throughout this pandemic, and I’m grateful that through these bipartisan efforts we’ve been able to secure nearly $32 million in additional support for our ever-important child care community.
First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling said this:
“Without question, child care is an essential pillar of our economy on which all other industries rely. The crucial relief opportunities made available to families and child care providers through the CARES Act, including emergency CCDBG funding, are essential to ensuring child care providers can continue serving the families of America’s first responders, and be around to welcome the nation’s young children when their parents eventually return to work. As this crisis continues to unfold, we look to bipartisan champions in Washington like Sen. Ernst for their leadership in ensuring America’s working families and child care providers many of which are small businesses continue receiving the assistance they need to weather this storm.”
Hearing From You
While Iowans from every part of our state face challenging times, we’re all working together to help one another get through this pandemic. This week I hosted two more telephone town halls, giving me the opportunity to continue to listen to Iowans and answer their questions amid this health crisis.
My office and I are always here to help provide our families, small businesses, seniors, farmers, and any Iowan with assistance and resources especially during these tough times. Stay safe, and stay strong.
For more updates on what's happening in Washington, D.C. and Iowa, be sure to 'Like' my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter @SenJoniErnst, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Thank you!
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