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DeLauro Statement on Emergency Coronavirus Relief Agreement

December 21, 2020

In Connecticut, one in three small businesses have closed their doors and families are desperate for relief, and this relief package finally provides critical help

WASHINGTON, DC – Appropriations Committee Chair-designate and Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) issued the following statement on the emergency coronavirus relief agreement:

"Tonight, we will pass this economic relief package that the American people desperately need. Republicans grudgingly came to the table, and the result is a much smaller package of relief, but we cannot lose sight of the important successes and historic investments Democrats fought to secure.

"Despite Republicans' intention to block any mandatory paid sick leave, this legislation provides workers with nearly $2 billion to maintain the paid leave option and restores the enhanced federal unemployment insurance bump that provides an additional $300 per week for all workers receiving unemployment benefits. This is not what we proposed but gives people needed help now.

"This bill provides for hard-working Americans by including direct payments and $13 billion in emergency food assistance, including a temporary boost to the monthly food stamp benefit, a marker I set in March. The rental assistance will certainly help families that are struggling, as well as an extension of the eviction moratorium, but we have already seen a rise in evictions throughout New England, during a time when families need safe and stable housing.

"Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that about one in three small businesses have closed their doors in Connecticut as a result of the pandemic. This is devastating for Connecticut's families and economy which is why we fought hard to include $284 billion for a second round of PPP loans.

"Additionally, there is $10 billion for child care, which is woefully inadequate. The child care industry since June has discussed needing $10 billion per month. If we cannot make families feel that their kids are going to be safe and secure, in their child care setting, we are not going to get our economy back on track, and the funding in this agreement is not nearly enough.

"This package is a critical first step forward that will help ameliorate the damage of the virus, but it is just that—a step. While vital relief, this cannot be the end of the story. From inadequate investments to completely missing funding for our state and local governments, it is nowhere near what Congress must provide American families. When we return in 2021, we must resume these negotiations and work with the Biden-Harris Administration to fill in the gaps of this package so the American people can rebuild and recover from this historic crisis."

A summary of the COVID-19 emergency relief agreement can be found here.