Securing $58.3 Million in Fisheries Disaster Assistance Funding for Louisiana

This week, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced $58.3 million in Fisheries Disaster Assistance Funding for Louisiana to mitigate the damaging impacts of extreme flooding in 2019. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Ross for recognizing the damaging impacts that historic flooding, and the openings of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, had on Louisiana’s seafood and recreational fishing industries and for allocating $58.3 million in disaster assistance to our state’s fishermen.

These funds will be used to restore the health of our fisheries and to ensure our fishermen are able to continue providing the world-class seafood that supports the livelihood of families and local communities across Southeast Louisiana. I am encouraging Secretary Ross to work with state and local officials to distribute this funding as quickly as possible.

SBA Releases Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application

The SBA and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application along with instructions for the application. This information will allow small businesses to seek forgiveness at the end of their 8-week covered PPP period, which begins at the disbursement of their loans. 

Click here to view the application and instructions.

Community Updates and Good News of the Week

• The IRS established a special phone line for taxpayers with questions about their Economic Impact Payments. You can reach the IRS at: 800-919-9835.
  
  
• I joined Newell Normand on WWL Radio this morning to discuss the latest updates on Louisiana Fisheries Disaster Assistance funding and our fight against COVID-19 as Louisiana begins to reopen.
  
  
• Second Harvest Food Bank in Plaquemines Parish is on its way to passing out 100,000 meals to feed families in our community thanks to a $25,000 donation from Venture Global—an LNG provider bringing good paying American energy jobs to Louisiana.
  
  
• Last week, President Trump launched Operation Warp Speed to help develop and deliver safe and effective Coronavirus treatments and vaccines as quickly as possible.
  
  
• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $11 billion in new funding to states, territories, and tribes to support testing for COVID-19 – including over $190 million in funding to support COVID-19 testing in Louisiana.
  
  
• In Louisiana, President Trump and Congress have delivered 1,083,800 N95 masks, 5,468,300 surgical and procedural masks, 87,700 eye and face shields, 2,276,300 isolation and surgical gowns, and 151,929,700 surgical and exam gloves.
  
  
• Businesses in Louisiana have received over $490 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and over $7 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding.
  
  
• According to The COVID Tracking Project, over 12 million tests for COVID-19 have been performed in the United States.
  
  
• The FDA has authorized an at-home sample collection kit made by Everlywell, Inc. that can be sent to specified labs for COVID-19 diagnostic testing. The Everlywell home-collection kit is currently the only authorized COVID-19 at-home sample collection kit for use with multiple authorized COVID-19 diagnostic tests. They are available by prescription only.

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


God Bless,