Coronavirus Update as of May 10, 2021
As your representative, I am continuing to work on your behalf to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Your health and safety are my top priority during this unprecedented time. This is not a hoax: This is a very serious situation and we need to protect our communities. In my role as the ranking member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress, I conducted oversight of COVID-19 response efforts. I look forward to continuing work this Congress as ranking member of the Health Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee to help renew, rebuild, and restore our country. Thanks to Operation Warp Speed, we have safe and effective vaccines being distributed across the Commonwealth. I encourage constituents to take the vaccine when they have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
LEGISLATION I SUPPORTED
Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus and COVID Relief Package
On December 21, 2020, I voted in support of the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus and COVID Relief Package. This legislation builds upon previous COVID-19 relief packages to give additional aid to Kentucky families and workers. Thanks to Operation Warp Speed, scientists, volunteers for clinical trials in the Second District and across the country, and many others, we have safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines being distributed across the Commonwealth. To assist with distribution efforts, this relief package includes funds to help Kentucky distribute COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, this relief package reopens the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and provides $284 billion through March 31, 2021 to assist small businesses. The PPP program initially provided over $5 billion in forgivable loans to Kentucky small businesses. Also included is additional funding for health care providers and coronavirus testing. President Donald Trump signed this bill into law on December 27, 2020.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
On March 27, 2020, I voted for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. President Trump signed this legislation into law later that day. This was our "phase 3" legislative package to provide relief to Americans and small businesses that are struggling. The CARES Act:
- Provides American families with a tax rebate credit to help with cover expenses during this time;
- Boosts unemployment benefits;
- Helps small businesses continue to pay their employees through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP);
- And provides funding for health care, including funding for health care providers, funding for the strategic stockpile to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other medical supplies.
The CARES Act has provided over $2.6 billion in grants to the Commonwealth to help respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
The PPP program initially provided over $4 billion in forgivable loans to Kentucky small businesses, but funding quickly ran out. On April 23, I voted for the PPP and Health Care Enhancement Act to provide an additional $310 billion in funding for the PPP program, as well as additional funding for health care providers and coronavirus testing.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On March 14, 2020, I voted for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), which increased testing capabilities around the country. This also included measures to ensure that employees can take sick leave due to COVID-19 and children have access to food services.
Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act
In addition, in March 2020 I voted for the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) to provide nearly $8 billion in funding to respond to the coronavirus.
Please rest assured that Congress will continue to work on legislation to help Americans respond to the coronavirus outbreak. See below for a full breakdown of how our legislative action will help Kentucky families and small businesses.
RESOURCES
COVID-19 Vaccines (Kentucky)
Anyone 16 and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in Kentucky. Click HERE if you would like to find appointment information at a vaccine site near you.
Veterans also have the option of being vaccinated at a VA medical center. Below are links to COVID-19 vaccine information pages for nearby VA medical centers. Click HERE to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine through the VA.
Lexington VA Health Care System
Marion VA Medical Center
Robley Rex VA Medical Center
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that vaccinations using Johnson & Johnson’s (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine should resume. Click HERE for more information.
Health
Updates from the CDC
Updates on cases in Kentucky
Kentucky coronavirus hotline: 1-800-722-5725
EPA Information on Disinfectants
Mental Health
National Crisis Hotlines
Kentucky Crisis Hotlines
Taxes
Guidance from IRS on federal income taxes and the immediate cash relief Kentuckians will receive
For Employees
Unemployment insurance hotline: 502-564-2900
File an unemployment insurance claim
For Businesses
Small Business Administration resources for small business owners (or call 1-800-659-2955)
U.S. Department of Treasury Assistance for Small Businesses
COVID-19 Relief Options
PPP Borrower Information
PPP Lender Information
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Federal Reserve Policy Tools
For Health Care Providers
CMS information for health care providers
Education
U.S. Department of Education resources available to students, parents, and teachers
Travel
Individuals traveling abroad who need assistance can contact my Bowling Green District Office at 270-842-9896 or through my website Contact for nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
U.S. State Department guidance on international travel
CDC guidance on domestic travel
Farmers
USDA Resources
Rental Assistance
Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
How You Can Help
FEMA: How You Can Help
Scams
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) resources for consumers and for businesses
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) resources
My Office
My website
My Bowling Green District Office: 270-842-9896
LEGISLATIVE BREAKDOWN
American Rescue Plan Act – signed into law March 11, 2021
Click HERE for summary from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus and COVID Relief Package – signed into law December 27, 2020
Paycheck Protection Program
- Funds up to $284 billion in additional funds to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help certain small businesses and workers continue getting a paycheck.
- Allows businesses with 300 employees or less who are experiencing at least 25% revenue loss an opportunity to apply for a second draw of the PPP loan.
- Allows the PPP loan covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet business needs.
- Covers additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures.
- Expands eligibility to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, newspapers, broadcasters, and radio stations.
- Sets the maximum loan amount for a second draw PPP loan to $2 million.
- Creates a simplified PPP loan forgiveness application for loans under $150,000.
Relief for Kentuckians
- Provides a supplemental unemployment benefit of $300 in addition to Kentucky’s base unemployment, as well as extends how long individuals are eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
- Sends another round of tax rebate checks of $600 per individual and $600 per child using the same eligibility requirements set in the CARES Act. Delivery of these direct payments to Americans is ongoing. Most individuals will receive their payment by direct deposit, and others will receive it as a physical check or other method. You can check the status of your payment using the Get My Payment tool. The IRS has begun disbursing payments. If you do not receive the tax rebate check or the full amount, you may be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit. Click HERE to learn more.
- Provides $10 billion to childcare centers to help safely reopen.
- Gives temporary and targeted rental assistance for Kentuckians who lost their source of income during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local and State Assistance
- Helps state and local governments with COVID-19 pandemic-related expenses.
- Distributes $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning, which also includes $2.75 billion in designated funds for private K through 12 education.
- Gives resources to help with distribution efforts of COVID-19 vaccines.
Additional Help
- Protects patients from surprise medical billing by keeping patients from being hit with outrageous out-of-network medical bills and taking patients out of the middle of payment disputes.
- Provides funding to help providers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic by adding $3 billion to the $175 billion allocated to the Provider Relief Fund to help providers and extending funding for community health centers for three years
- Helps expand broadband access in rural and underserved areas.
- Provides COVID-related assistance to support agricultural producers, growers, processors, specialty crops, non-specialty crops, dairy, livestock, poultry, and contract livestock and poultry producers, including payments to livestock producers who had to kill their animals due to inadequate processing capacity.
- Assists airline employees and contractor payroll support with another round of funding.
Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act – signed into law April 24, 2020
Small Businesses
- Adds an additional $310 billion to the Small Business Administration’s successful Paycheck Protection Program, which allowed the Trump administration to continue providing forgivable loans to cover the cost of payroll and operating expenses for small businesses.
- $60 billion for the Small Business Administration’s economic injury disaster loans and grants.
- Additional funds are provided for the Small Business Administration to administer these programs.
Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
- $75 billion to support the heroes on the front lines of this crisis and our healthcare system, including additional funding to reimburse hospitals and health care providers for lost revenues and expenses related to the outbreak.
Testing
- $25 billion to expand testing, which will provide information on where cases are occurring, and support continued efforts to reopen communities and reignite our record-breaking economy.
CARES Act – signed into law March 27, 2020
Relief to American Families
- A one-time tax rebate check of $1,200 per individual and $500 per child for those with a valid SSN. There are no earned income or tax liability requirements to receive these rebate checks. The full rebate amount is available for those with incomes at or below $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for head of household, and $150,000 for married couples. Payments are phased out above those thresholds until it is phased out completely for single taxpayers with incomes at $99,000 or $198,000 for joint filers. Most payments will be delivered through direct deposit and will be based on the 2018 tax year if you have not yet filed for 2019.
- Significantly boosted unemployment insurance benefits, expanding eligibility, and offering certain workers an additional $600 a week on top of what state unemployment programs pay. It also provides states the flexibility to offer an additional 13 weeks of unemployment if they are furloughed or lose their job due to COVID-19. Created an employee retention tax credit to incentivize businesses to keep workers on payroll during the crisis.
Small Businesses
- Paycheck Protection: The bill created a new “paycheck protection program” through the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) Loan Program for small employers, self-employed individuals, and “gig economy” workers, with $349 billion to help prevent workers from losing their jobs and small businesses from going under due to economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Paycheck Protection Program” provides 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to small employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. The Treasury Department issued regulations requiring 75% of the loan goes towards payroll costs and for interest rates to be .5% fixed rate. These new paycheck protection loans are automatic deferrals of principal, interest, and fees for 6 months, however interest will continue to accrue over this period. If the employer maintains payroll, the portion of the loans used for covered payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities will be forgiven, which will help workers to remain employed and affected small businesses and our economy to recover quickly from this crisis. This program is retroactive to February 15, 2020, to help bring workers who may have already been laid off back onto payrolls. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, 501(c)(3)s with less than 500 employees will be eligible. Businesses in the hospitality and food industry with more than one location could also be eligible at the store and location level if the store employs less than 500 workers. The max loan amount is capped at $10 million or 2.5 times the average monthly payroll based on the prior year’s payroll. Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for and receive loans. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contact actors and self-employed individuals can apply for and receive loans.
- Small Business Contractors Also Get Protection: Federal agencies are required to extend contract performance periods and promptly pay small business contractors impacted by COVID-19.
- Debt Relief: For six months, SBA is required to pay all principal, interest and fees on all existing SBA loan products including 7(a), Community Advantage, 504, and Microloan programs.
Taxes
- Provides Another Option for Employers to Keep Connected to Their Employees: Employers of all sizes that face closure orders or suffer economic hardship due to the coronavirus crisis that continue to pay employees that are furloughed may be eligible for a 50% credit on up to $10,000 of wages paid to those employees. This will help workers keep their jobs, help local businesses ride out this storm, and ensure that furloughed workers have jobs to return to.
- Delays Payroll Tax Payments for Employers: Employers are able to delay the payment of their 2020 payroll taxes until 2021 and 2022, leading to approximately $300 billion of extra cash flow for businesses
Health Care
- Ensures that all tests for COVID-19 are covered with no out of pocket costs.
- Ensures that providers and labs supplying COVID-19 testing and related services charge fair and transparent rates.
- Requires a COVID-19 vaccine to be covered with no out of pocket costs no later than 15 business days after a United States Preventive Task Force rating of A or B or a recommendation of coverage from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Grants DOL authority to give health, retirement, and disability plans additional time to comply with deadlines, such as COBRA continuation coverage, special enrollment, claims for benefits, appeals of denied claims, and external review of certain claims.
- Provides additional funding for states, hospitals, providers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), education, and disaster relief.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act – signed into law March 18, 2020
- Requires all commercial insurance plans pay for the treatment and testing of the coronavirus.
- Ensures that all tests administered under ERISA plans for COVID-19 are covered with no out of pocket costs.
- Provides funding and flexibility to ensure low-income students continue to have access to meals while schools are closed.
- Ensures that employees can take sick leave if they have the coronavirus or if they are caring for someone who has it.
Qualified Sick Leave Wages
- Businesses with fewer than 500 employees must pay up to 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to full-time employees (pro-rata rules apply to part-time employees) who are home sick from coronavirus, complying with a quarantine, or taking care of an individual who has been infected. This leave also applies to working families who may be forced home due to school closures.
- Federal government will provide employers with a refundable payroll tax credit of 100 percent of the required wages.
- Employees are capped at $200 per day ($511 per day in the case of employees that are home sick from coronavirus or complying with a quarantine).
- Secretary of Labor may issue rules to exempt small businesses with fewer than 50 employees from these requirements when the imposition of such requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.
Qualified Family Leave Wages
- Businesses with fewer than 500 employees must provide an additional 10 weeks of paid leave after an initial 10 days of unpaid leave to care for a child whose school is closed.
- The first 2 weeks of the leave, which is covered by the qualified sick leave described above, may be unpaid.
- During the remaining 10 weeks, the employer will pay 2/3 of the employee’s salary, capped at $200 per day for up to 50 days.
- Federal government will provide businesses with a refundable payroll tax credit of 100 percent of the required wages.
- Secretary of Labor may issue rules to exempt small businesses with fewer than 50 employees from these requirements when the imposition of such requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.
Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act – Signed into March 6, 2020
- Provides nearly $8 billion in funding to combat the spread of coronavirus in the United States, with $7 million allocated to Kentucky.
