Washington, DC – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement today in support of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:
“The public health emergency that we face today is one of the greatest challenges our nation has ever faced.
“Today, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. While the bill is not perfect, I have been working with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to make sure that the bill reflects our priorities of putting families first, putting our healthcare providers first, and putting our small businesses and our economy first.
“I didn’t get everything I wanted, nobody did, but given the urgency and the enormous task at hand, I believe my constituents, our local businesses, and our state will receive significant and urgently needed funding, to stay healthy, be able to pay the bills, and lay the platform for economic recovery.
“The bill provides up to $3,400 for a family of four, $600 per week in additional unemployment benefits to most American workers, including contractors, self-employed individuals, and workers in the gig economy — who would not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits. The bill also increases the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit to get more funds to families struggling to make ends meet.
“This bill also provides critical funding for our healthcare providers, hospitals, and those working on vaccines and treatments. It also provides significant funding for personal protective equipment for our healthcare providers and first responders.
“It provides additional resources to the VA to ensure our veterans receive the care they need, and, if necessary, for the VA to help community healthcare systems, which is a critical part of VA’s mission.
“The bill provides funds to local and state governments, who are on the front lines of this crisis.
“There is also significant funding for our small businesses, who are struggling deeply and whose survival is essential to getting Americans back to work and to a quick economic recovery, as soon as we are able. From flexible Small Business Administration loans, to tax credits, to aid and incentives to help keep workers working.
“While there is important aid to large businesses, who employ millions of Americans across the country and are also suffering unprecedented challenges, my colleagues and I worked very hard to learn lessons from the past, to ensure corporations use funding, not for executive or shareholder enrichment, but to keep workers working, and to keep our economy from collapsing, and ultimately recovering as quickly as possible.
“In the last few years, Ventura County has seen unprecedented challenges, but we faced those challenges by coming together, working together, and supporting one another.
“For the sake of the country, we must follow Ventura County’s example, and do the same. This bill was not without its partisan differences, but ultimately, we came together, we worked together, and we put together the biggest emergency aid package in American history, in record time. It’s not perfect, but it reflected the urgency of our times, and as an example of how Congress can come together to solve big problems for the American people.
“Without a doubt, there will be more we must do to keep people healthy, get them back to work, and make sure the economy can bounce-back as quickly as possible. As the coronavirus crisis evolves, you have my word that I will continue to fight for you in Congress and ensure that the federal government brings its full resources to bear to address this global pandemic.
“Please stay home, stay healthy, and be safe.”
Below are links to useful resources on this bill.
Summary of the Bill’s $340 Billion in Emergency Appropriations
Fact Sheet and FAQ on the Bill’s Unemployment Compensation Provisions
Explainer on How The Bill’s Rebates Work in Terms of Social Security
Fact Sheet on the Bill’s Small Business Provisions
Overview of the Bill’s Oversight and Accountability Provisions
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Issues: 116th Congress