I hope you saw my latest weekly column.

 

ROGER WICKER: Congress approves new aid and several Wicker-led bills
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This past week, President Trump signed a new COVID-19 relief bill paired with
legislation to fund the government through the end of fiscal year 2021. The
measure passed Congress with huge majorities after congressional leaders worked
closely with President Trump’s senior leadership team to craft the final
agreement. Days later, President Trump signed the bill into law. Although it
does not contain every priority the President or I wanted, this measure will
provide a much-needed boost to families, workers, and businesses weathering the
effects of this pandemic.

 

Direct relief for Americans

 

Earlier this year, Congress passed the largest relief package in U.S. history
to meet the urgent needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic. Although many
have regained employment, millions still remain out of work, and eight million
Americans have fallen into poverty. The food, entertainment, and travel
industries are particularly hard-hit by ongoing health restrictions. It is
clear that Americans need a fresh round of assistance.

 

The new aid package provides direct payments of $600 for every adult making up
to $75,000, plus $600 for each child. It expands weekly unemployment benefits
by $300 for 10 weeks, a short-term lift that will help unemployed Americans
until they can find work again. It also adds $285 billion to reopen the
Paycheck Protection Program, allowing more small businesses to receive
forgivable loans to keep employees on the payroll. The bill encourages provides
new support for agriculture and the transportation sector, which are suffering
severe losses.

 

This legislation will also boost our nation’s effort to defeat the
coronavirus. The bill directs billions to support the distribution of vaccines,
which are already reaching at-risk individuals and frontline workers. It
designates $22 billion for COVID-19 testing and tracing efforts. And it sends
more than $90 billion to schools, universities, and daycares to help cover
expenses necessary for safe reopening. I helped secure additional funding to
support telehealth, enabling more people to receive care from home during the
pandemic.

 

Landmark bills will benefit Mississippi

 

The government funding package included additional measures that will benefit
Mississippi. I helped guarantee support for new broadband data maps, which will
lead to more broadband development in unserved areas. Congress also approved
millions to help deploy broadband in rural communities, which I have long
supported.

 

Congress also approved several bills I have been working to pass since 2019.
One of those is the PIPES Act, which will improve the safety of pipelines that
deliver energy to our communities. Congress also passed my legislation
overhauling the certification process for commercial aircraft after my
committee’s investigation revealed troubling oversight failures. This
legislation will correct those regulatory lapses and improve the safety of our
aviation system. Taken as a whole, this year-end legislation will advance
America’s economic and security interests as we enter 2021.

 

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Thank you for your support,

Senator Roger Wicker

 

 

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