Congress Must Prioritize Coronavirus Solutions

Ahead of the vote on Speaker Pelosi’s $3 trillion, 1,800 page, entirely partisan bill that has no chance of becoming law, I spoke on the House Floor to highlight what’s in this bill – including billions of dollars for taxpayer-funded abortions, stimulus payments to illegal immigrants, federalized elections – and what’s not in this bill – including money to bring jobs and critical manufacturing back from China, funds for personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturing and distribution, and real solutions to help families, small businesses, and American workers move forward and recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. Instead of attempting to exploit the Coronavirus pandemic like we’re seeing in Speaker Pelosi’s partisan bill, Congress must work together to safely reopen our economy, so people can get back to work providing for their families, and businesses who are barely hanging on can have a chance to make it through this crisis.

Louisiana Enters Phase One of Reopening

Louisiana formally entered into Phase One on Friday, May 15th. Under Phase One reopening guidelines, the Stay at Home Order is lifted and certain businesses are allowed to reopen under specific social distancing guidelines. Businesses that are allowed to reopen, with 25 percent occupancy limits, sanitation guidelines and spacing for physical distancing include:

• Restaurants, cafes and coffee shops
• Shopping malls
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Barber and beauty shops, and nail salons
• Movie theaters
• Racetracks (not open to spectators)
• Museums, zoos, aquariums (no tactile exhibits)
• Bars and breweries with LDH food permits

Casinos and video poker establishments can reopen on May 18th, at 25 percent occupancy and with 50 percent of their gaming positions, spaced out to allow for social distancing and with enhanced sanitation.

Click here for more information regarding Louisiana's Phase One economic reopening. 

Community Updates and Good News of the Week

• The CDC released new Coronavirus reopening guidance for schools, workplaces, camps, childcare centers, mass transit systems, and bars and restaurants.
  
  
• The CDC has updated guidance for Community and Faith-Based Organizations to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19.
  
  
• Businesses in Louisiana have been approved for nearly $8 billion in Paycheck Protection Program funding. This is great news for businesses who are trying to keep workers employed during this pandemic.
  
  
• The Trump Administration is taking significant action to ensure the United States has a strong Strategic National Stockpile and domestic industrial base capable to meet and respond to any future challenge.
  
  
• As of May 14, FEMA, HHS, and the private sector combined have coordinated the delivery of or are currently shipping: 92.7 million N95 respirators, 133.7 million surgical masks, 10.5 million face shields, 22.5 million surgical gowns, and 989 million gloves.

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


God Bless,