Torres: Glad COVID Package Passed, but I.E. Residents Deserve More
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today voted for H.R. 133, an Omnibus Appropriations bill which includes much-needed COVID relief for families and businesses across the country.
Torres sits on the House Appropriations Committee, which worked for months to forge compromise legislation that had enough bipartisan support to pass in both chambers. This legislation breaks a seven-month refusal by Senate Republicans to consider any aid package passed out of the House of Representatives.
Amongst other provisions, H.R. 133 includes:
- Rental assistance: $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium.
- Direct payments for struggling Americans: A one-time payment of $600 for each worker and child including mixed-status families.
- Support for small businesses: Over $284 billion in new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding, along with expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, and key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants.
- Unemployment benefits: Prevents the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits for millions of people and adds a $300 per week UI enhancement.
- Independent contractors & gig workers: The UI provision includes support for independent contractors and gig workers, which Rep. Torres led the charge for.
- Vaccine distribution: Provides billions in urgently need funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible.
?Congresswoman Torres released the following statement:
"The American people are hurting right now, and at long last, some of the relief we've been trying to send since May is finally on the way," Rep. Torres said. "This package is far from perfect – in fact, it's far from enough. But it will help Inland Empire residents make ends meet for now, and that's reason enough to support it despite its shortcomings.
"A new round of direct payments for workers and dependents is on its way; unemployment insurance just got a boost, including for contract and gig workers; more rental assistance passed just in time; and small businesses can look forward to another round of PPP funding," Torres continued. "All of that is good news, but the fact that it took seven months and concessions that cut to the bone to get Republican support is truly alarming. Even more concerning is the fact that we had to block their provision to give blanket immunity to corporations that intentionally endangered their employees in this pandemic. That provision is a slap in the face for countless families whose loved ones perished because of callous work policies – it has no place in any legislation, let alone a bill intended to help suffering Americans.
"This virus is far from behind us, and Congressional relief must keep pace with the challenges Americans face," Torres added. "That means passing another package early next year to support state and local governments that continue to provide vital services without the federal support they need and deserve. While I'm glad a package is finally passing out of Congress this week, the simple fact is my constituents deserve more, and every single American deserves a more responsive Congress."
More information about COVID relief included in H.R. 133 is available here.
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