Rep. Fudge Supports Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Package

Press Release

Today, Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) supported passage of a coronavirus relief and omnibus package to address the continued public and economic crisis while funding the government for the coming fiscal year.

"Each week this crisis continues, more Americans are filing for unemployment, struggling to pay rent, and wondering how they will afford to put food on their table," said Rep. Fudge. "Nine months after Congress passed the CARES Act, this compromise package makes long overdue progress towards meeting the needs of those who need help most. It will put money directly in American's pockets by restoring federal unemployment benefits and providing another round of stimulus payments. I am particularly proud the measure provides additional funding for rental and nutritional assistance and includes two key provisions I championed to address rising hunger on college campuses. With safe and effective vaccines prepared for distribution, the package makes critical investments to ensure they will be free and accessible to all Americans.

"Though far from perfect, this package will help to protect lives and give a hand up to Americans who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. We need to get what emergency relief we can now to struggling workers and businesses. Congress must continue to work for the people under the new Biden-Harris Administration by building on this critical step. Americans need help now--they cannot afford to wait any longer."

Among its provisions, the package includes:

A second round of economic impact payments of $600 per adult and child;
$25 billion in rental assistance and an extension of the eviction moratorium;
Provisions to enhance the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit;
An extension of federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs past their year-end expiration and a renewal of $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work;
$13 billion in nutrition assistance and a 15 percent boost in the maximum SNAP benefit;
A provision similar to Rep. Fudge's End Pandemic Hunger for College Student Act to extend SNAP eligibility to college students who are eligible for a federal or state work study programs or have an expected family contribution of zero;
A provision similar to Rep. Fudge's STOP Campus Hunger Act to ensure college students are aware of the eligibility for food assistance programs;
$11 billion in emergency assistance to struggling farmers;
Funding to ensure COVID-19 vaccine distribution is free and equitable;
$284 billion for first and second forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, including $15 billion in dedicated funding for restaurants and live venues;
$9 billion and PPP set-asides for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to support lending in underserved communities;
$10B for child-care assistance;
And an expansion of Pell Grants to cover 500,000 new recipients and reinstate grants for incarcerated students.
For a section-by-section summary of appropriations provisions, click here.

For a section-by-section summary of COVID relief provisions, click here.

Source