Problem Solvers Caucus applauds today’s passage 

WASHINGTON – Today, the House passed legislation to help respond to the scale and severity of COVID-19. The bill and agency actions in today’s legislative package include several recommendations put forth the Problem Solvers Caucus in its  ‘Health Crisis and Economic Revival Package’ on March 19,  2020 and submitted to the White House, Senate and House leadership for consideration on the same day.

These provisions include:

• Provide additional regulatory relief at FDA and CDC for market-based testing solutions and essential supplies (e.g. testing kits, ventilators, PPEs, reagent supply, and hospital conversion)
• Providing immediate cash assistance to individuals and families
• Expanding unemployment benefits to include part-time, self-employed, contract, and gig economy workers
• Extending unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks — at 100 percent levels
• Employee retention tax credit to keep Americans in their jobs
• Offering a low-or-zero interest loan program to businesses willing to keep their employees in their positions during the coronavirus crisis
• $350 billion in loan forgiveness grants to small businesses and non-profits to maintain existing workforce and help pay for other expenses like rent, mortgage, and utilities

Throughout this crisis the Problem Solvers Caucus, led by Reps. Tom Reed (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) has been committed to rising above partisan politics and doing what it takes to combat this threat to our country, our families, and our businesses.

On March 3, 2020, a bipartisan group from the Problem Solvers Caucus met with Vice President Mike Pence and the Covid-19 task force in the Situation Room to get briefed on and discuss the spread and impact of COVID-19 in the United States. The Caucus stressed the importance of working together, across party lines, to help combat the virus.

This discussion helped pass HR 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Phase 1 Coronavirus emergency funding that was signed into law on March 6, 2020.

The Caucus continued its work by advocating and achieving the bipartisan passage of  HR 6021, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Phase 2 funding) which was signed into law on March 18, 2020.  This package expanded free testing, food programs, paid sick leave and increased Medicaid funding to help assist with the Covid-19 crisis.

Additionally, on March 23, 2020, the Problem Solvers Caucus supported and issued, with more than ninety percent consensus of its members, a statement calling on all Members of Congress to unite as Americans and swiftly pass a bill to assist the American people in need as a result of Covid-19. Successful passage of Phase 3 occurred shortly, thereafter, March 27, 2020. The American people clearly win when Congress comes together.