Help for Hoosiers
Yesterday, I voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, a comprehensive year-end bill that includes coronavirus relief and funding for the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021. This package provides assistance to essential workers, small businesses, and unemployed Americans, and provides additional resources for testing and vaccinations.
The bill rescinds $429 billion in unused CARES Act funds to help pay for the additional coronavirus relief measures.
Specific Coronavirus Relief Measures Included in the Bill:
- $325 billion for small business relief, including $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Loans and enhanced relief for hard-hit industries like restaurants and venues.
- PPP Second Draw incorporates a number of tenets from my RESTART Act, including expansion of the number of allowable and forgivable costs to provide businesses with more flexibility and a requirement that businesses demonstrate need by meeting a 25 percent or more revenue decline test.
- Clarifies Congressional intent that business expenses paid using forgiven PPP funds are tax deductible, avoiding a significant unexpected burden on already struggling small businesses.
- I cosponsored of S. 3612, Small Business Expense Protection Act, and advocated for this clarification.
- $25 billion for rental assistance for struggling renters and a one month extension of the CDC eviction moratorium.
- Extends Federal Pandemic Unemployment Insurance benefit of $300 per week through March 14, 2021.
- Direct payment of $600 to individuals and qualified child dependents (up to $2,400 for a family of four).
- $10 billion for child care, including direct support for child care providers for fixed costs and operation expenses, to help ensure working parents have access to child care so they can work or return to work.
- I cosponsored S. 4221, the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act and signed a letter requesting support for child care in COVID-19 relief.
- $29 billion for vaccine development and distribution.
- $22 billion for COVID-19 testing and related activities by states.
- $3 billion for the health care Provider Relief Fund.
- $250 million in funding for the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
- $82 billion for education, including $54.3 billion for K-12 schools and $22.7 billion for higher education.
- Nearly $11.2 billion for COVID-related agriculture assistance, specifically allowing the Secretary to make payments to producers for losses incurred from depopulation of livestock and poultry due to processing disruptions.
- I cosponsored S. 4156, RELIEF for Producers Act.
- $45 billion for transportation assistance related to COVID-19 impacts.
- Includes $16 billion to extend the Aviation Workers Payroll Support Program which I have advocated for since August.
- Extends and enhances the Employee Retention Tax Credit through June 30, 2021.
- 12-month extension of the deadline to expend state and local funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to allow more flexibility to stretch out already obligated CARES funds.
For more information on the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, click here.
Vaccine Information
Two COVID-19 vaccines have now been authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.
The FDA has also authorized for emergency use a treatment drug from Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly that is targeted towards those who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations in Indiana, click here. For information on vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here.
COVID-19 Questions
Hoosiers can email [email protected] for additional assistance or visit my website at young.senate.gov/coronavirus.
Indiana has also established a tollfree number for Hoosiers to call with questions about the coronavirus: (877) 826-0011. If you are calling with general questions about coronavirus, please press 1; if you are a healthcare provider, please press 2.
Click here for the latest information from the CDC.
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