NOW OPEN: The Paycheck Protection Program has Resumed Accepting Loan Applications

Renewed Funding for Critical CARES Act Programs 

Although this funding was needed weeks ago, I’m glad the Senate was ultimately able to come together once again to provide critical aid for Hoosier families, small businesses, hospitals, and farmers. Expanded testing and hospital aid will help us get through this pandemic faster. Until then, the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans are going to help our businesses survive so that Hoosiers have jobs to go back to when it is safe to re-open the economy. Our work is far from over, but I’m grateful this next round of relief was signed into law and is on the way to those who need it most.

The passage of this additional coronavirus relief funding, includes renewed funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, hospitals, and expanded testing. The agreement also clarifies that farmers with under 500 employees are eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The President signed this renewed funding into law on Friday.

The relief package includes:

• $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program
• $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• $10 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance grants
• $75 billion for hospitals
• $25 billion for testing
  
• Clarification allowing farmers with under 500 employees to seek Economic Injury Disaster Loans

More from Inside Indiana Business: “Young Applauds Relief Package Extension”.

Helping Veterans Combat Loneliness and Social Isolation

Unprecedented safety measures, including stay-at-home orders, to avoid transmission of coronavirus have exacerbated social isolation and loneliness. Research has found a consistent relationship between loneliness, lack of connection, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Most at risk for loneliness are individuals in adolescence, early adulthood, early 50’s, and 80’s. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy determined volunteerism, a phone call, or a visit alleviates the effects of loneliness.

This is why, last week, I sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie calling for the VA to help counteract loneliness and social isolation experienced by veterans and service members in high-risk groups during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter calls for the VA to take innovative steps to combat loneliness in veterans.

Click here to read the letter.

Indiana to Receive $11.5 Million for Coronavirus Testing and Surveillance

Last week, the CDC announced that it will distribute more than $11.5 million to Indiana to boost coronavirus testing and surveillance. This funding is provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Indiana has now received a total of $26.3 million from the CDC.

According to the CDC, this funding may be used for the following activities:

• Establishing or enhancing the ability to aggressively identify cases, conduct contact tracing and follow up, as well as implement appropriate containment measures
• Improving morbidity and mortality surveillance.
• Enhancing testing capacity.
• Controlling COVID-19 in high-risk settings and protecting vulnerable or high-risk populations.
• Working with healthcare systems to manage and monitor system capacity.

For more information, check out my coronavirus assistance toolkit by clicking HERE.

Additional coverage from the Southside Times.

Letter to UN Secretary General Requesting an Independent Review of WHO’s Coronavirus Response

I joined fellow Senate Foreign Relations Committee Members on a letter to request that the United Nations (UN) immediately convene an independent panel of experts to conduct a thorough review of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) response to the coronavirus global pandemic. This includes an interim assessment of the WHO’s performance to date and recommendations for reforms. The United States and countries around the world depend upon the WHO as a source of reliable, independent, and scientifically-based information about public health challenge. However, the WHO appears to have shown remarkable deference to the Chinese government throughout this pandemic.

Restoring confidence in the WHO as the premier UN global health agency committed to sound, scientifically-based global health principles and practices will require greater transparency, accountability, and reform. In keeping with past practice, including the Interim Assessment Panel that was convened in 2015 to review the WHO’s response to the Ebola epidemic that plagued West Africa between 2013 and 2016, it is important that this interim assessment be professional, independent, and unbiased. I want the best for the frontline WHO workers, and this means we need to know all of the facts. Given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, getting this right is now more important than ever.

Additionally, as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Multilateral Institutions, which has jurisdiction over the WHO, I have called for the WHO Director General to appear before my subcommittee for a hearing on the WHO’s response to coronavirus.

More coverage from the New York Times.

Constituent Spotlight

In the last several weeks, I’ve talked to more than 22,000 Hoosiers about how their communities are doing, offered thanks to those who are stepping up to help those in need, and received helpful feedback as we navigate this pandemic.

Last week, I spoke with the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis about how we can support minority communities and churches. With the coronavirus pandemic disproportionately affecting African Americans, it is important that we identify strategies to minimize risk for all Hoosier communities.

In the News 

I’ve been speaking with Hoosiers across the state to get the word out about resources that are available to help stop the spread of coronavirus and help stem the economic impact of the virus. See below for a sampling of coverage.

Social Media Recap

Join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for regular updates.

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate. My mission is to fight on behalf of Hoosiers and the interests that are unique to our state. I look forward to working with you, and sharing our progress, in the days ahead. 

In Service,