WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) voted to pass the Emergency Coronavirus Relief in the Omnibus spending bill, to provide more direct COVID-19 relief to the American people. In response, Congressman Gomez issued the following statement:
“Californians, like many Americans, are desperate and need help now. Despite being far from perfect, the bipartisan emergency coronavirus relief and omnibus package encompasses numerous avenues of financial support that will undoubtedly help struggling working families survive this COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis. After months of delay because of Senate Republicans, this legislative package represents a critical down payment for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 virus.
“Through our work, House Democrats were able to secure provisions that were absent from previous packages, such as $25 billion for a new Emergency Rental Relief Program and direct stimulus payments for immigrant families. But by no means is our work done. As President-elect Biden takes office, I will work with House Democrats to pass another robust relief package to uplift our vulnerable communities, including additional direct rent and mortgage relief, an extension of the federal eviction moratorium, student loan debt forgiveness, and the Emergency Money for the People Act, which would send monthly $2,000 checks to Americans making less than $130,000 per year.”
The Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Agreement includes the following provisions:
- $22.4 billion for COVID-19 testing and contract tracing
- $27.75 billion for COVID-19 vaccines and distribution
- $25 billion for a new Emergency Rental Relief Program
- Extension of the federal eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021
- Stimulus checks: $2,400 dollars for a family of four, regardless of employment status, including mixed-status families ($600 per adult, $600 dependent child)
- Extended Unemployment Benefits: An additional $300 per week in federal unemployment insurance payments (on top of state unemployment payments) for up to 11 weeks
- $13 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans
- $9 billion for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) for small businesses in low-income and underserved communities
- $15 billion for live, independent music and arts venues
- $82 billion for colleges and schools
The legislation also includes the following bills introduced by Congressman Gomez:
To read the text of the Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Agreement, please click here.
