I was back in Washington today to help pass our third coronavirus response bill—bold, bipartisan legislation that is desperately needed to protect the health and safety of Arizonans.
The House unanimously passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a historic relief bill that puts families and workers first. For updated information on Congress's work as well as resources on COVID-19, subscribe to my newsletter.
The CARES Act includes:
- A $150 Billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide state and local governments additional resources to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. It is estimated that Arizona will receive $2.82 billion to benefit our communities and residents.
- Approximately $200 Billion for Our Hospitals, Health Care Workers, and Health Research, including expanding funding for the personal protective equipment desperately needed by our health care workers, including ventilators, n95 masks, gowns, gloves, and more.
- $260 Billion in Expanded Unemployment Benefits including an additional $600 per week for the next four weeks, providing an additional 13 weeks of federally funded benefits and expanding eligibility to include workers in the gig economy and self-employed workers.
- Immediate Direct Cash Payments to Lower and Middle-Income Americans of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child. The full payment is available for individuals earning up to $75,000 and households earning up to $150,000—the value decreases then phases out for those making more than the full payment income cap. 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, 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 grant.
Arizona will benefit from receiving its share of more than $100 billion in additional emergency appropriations included in the CARES Act. Here are some of the specific funding measures that will make a difference for Arizonans as we continue to fight this global pandemic:
- Transit Agencies: Arizona’s transit agencies will receive $311.9 million to protect the jobs of transit agency employees and fund paychecks during this public health emergency. These funds will help maintain critical transportation services and provide personal protective equipment to workers.
- HUD Emergency Solution Grants: To address the impact of the coronavirus among individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, Arizona will receive $33.5 million in HUD Emergency Solution Grants. These funds will also support individuals facing eviction.
- Child Care and Development Block Grant: Arizona will receive $87.3 million to support child care and early education through the Child Care and Development Block Grant. These dollars will be critical to working parents left without adequate child care solutions during prolonged school closures.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): To ensure that low-income families can continue to pay their energy and air-conditioning bills, the legislation provides $900 million. Arizona will receive $16.4 million to help low-income families pay their bills.
- Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant Program: Through Byrne-JAG Grants, Arizona’s public safety and law enforcement officers will get $19.3 million more to respond to the crisis—essential funding for personal protective equipment and other needed medical items, as well as to support overtime for officers on the front lines.
- CDC Coronavirus State, Local and Tribal Grants minimum awards: The CDC is sending emergency funding to local communities through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness program—this includes funds for laboratory testing and infection control. Arizona will receive $12.4 million for these critical public health needs. There also is a set-aside for tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian health organizations.
- Election Assistance: We can’t allow COVID-19 to put our election security or safety at risk. Nearly $8 million will support Arizona’s 2020 elections, which can be used to expand vote by mail and early vote options, boost online registration, add vote centers and increase safety at poll sites.
- Airport Assistance: I asked the chairs of both the Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees to ensure that assistance gets to Arizona’s airports through the Airport Improvement Program. The bill includes $10 billion in grants to support airports including Sky Harbor and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway with financial assistance for worker paychecks and rent.
This bill builds on top of the swift action we have already taken to move two critical pieces of coronavirus response legislation into law. Arizonans deserve a coordinated, fully-funded, government response—one that works across all agencies and from the federal level to the local level—to keep them and their loved ones safe from the coronavirus epidemic. I will continue to work tirelessly and in a bipartisan way to put families and workers first and protect the health, economic security and well-being of all Arizonans.
If you have questions or need assistance during this time, please visit my website stanton.house.gov/