March 27, 2020 Today Representative Dina Titus released the following statement after the House passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“We need an enormous recovery package to bring relief to families, workers, and small businesses – and that is exactly what we have passed,” said Congresswoman Titus (NV-1). “So many families in Southern Nevada are struggling right now and I want them to know that some help is on the way.
“I’m proud to support this bill because it will provide more resources to hospitals and patients, more help to small businesses and the unemployed, and more oversight of CEOs. Most Americans will see tangible benefits from this recovery package, including in the form of direct payments.
“As Co-Chair of both the Travel and Tourism Caucus and the Gaming Caucus, I am confident that this legislation will benefit the Las Vegas Valley and help ensure that workers on the Strip have a job to return to when this crisis is over. As Chair of the subcommittee that oversees the Economic Development Administration, I am especially pleased to have secured $1.5 billion in funds for the agency that could eventually be used when it is appropriate to advertise that communities like ours are once again open for business.
“Las Vegas is a resilient city. We’ve proven that before and we’ll prove it again.”
This morning, Congresswoman Titus made remarks on the House floor about the CARES Act. Those remarks can be found here and a downloadable version is available upon request.
The legislation includes:
A $150 Billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund: Creates a $150 billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide states and localities additional resources to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
$260 Billion in Dramatically Expanded Unemployment Benefits: Includes numerous provisions to improve unemployment benefits including providing an additional $600 per week for the next four months, providing an additional 13 weeks of federally funded benefits, and expanding eligibility to include workers in the gig economy and self-employed workers.
Direct Cash Payments to Lower and Middle-Income Americans: Provides for direct cash payments to lower-and middle-income Americans of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child, beginning to phase out at an annual income of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a household. These payments will provide individuals with the cash they need right now to survive with much of the economy currently shut down.
More Than $375 Billion in Small Business Relief: Provides more than $375 billion in small business relief, including $349 billion for forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees and keep them on the payroll; $17 billion for debt relief for current and new SBA borrowers; and $10 billion in immediate disaster grants.
Approximately $200 Billion for Our Hospitals, Health Care Workers, and Health Research: Provides an investment of about $200 billion in our hospitals, health systems, and health research, including expanding funding for the personal protective equipment desperately needed by our health care workers, including ventilators, N95 masks, gowns, gloves, etc.
Airport Funding: Provides $10 billion for the nation’s airports to assist with cleaning and maintenance of the facilities, and supporting airport employees that have been impacted by COVID-19. The funding will be distributed proportionally by 2018 enplanements. In 2018, McCarran International Airport was the 9th busiest airport in the United States.
Economic Development Administration Expansion: $1.5 billion for the economic adjustment assistance program that will grant funds to support distressed communities Following the BP Oil Spill, EDA funds supported the “open for business” ad campaigns in the Gulf. Las Vegas could take advantage of a similar ad campaign when it is appropriate. Congresswoman Titus chairs the subcommittee that oversees the Economic Development Administration.
Election Assistance: Provides $400 million for Election Assistance Grants for states to help prepare for the 2020 elections. Coronavirus is already resulting in the postponement of some primaries and this funding can help states make voting safer for individuals. Funding can be used, for example, to increase the ability to vote by mail, expand early voting, and expand online registration.
Employee Retention Tax Credit: Provides a tax credit to incentivize businesses, including those in hospitality and gaming, to keep employees on payroll during the coronavirus pandemic.
