Watson Coleman Supports Passage of Third Coronavirus Relief Package

Despite flaws, the families and workers-focused bill will offer critically needed relief for American families

Ewing, NJ (March 27, 2020) — Today, Congressmembers Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement in support of the historic families and workers-first bill to provide relief from the impact of the coronavirus.

“Over the past few weeks we’ve seen the tremendous impact that this pandemic is having on everyday life for people in this country. It has highlighted existing flaws in our systems that deserve our attention, but it has also created an immediate and overwhelming crisis for countless families. This bill, which Democrats fought hard to ensure would not be a blank-check bailout for corporations, is Congress stepping up to ensure families can make ends meet,” said Watson Coleman. “It’s not perfect by any means — particularly in a state like New Jersey where the cost of living will mean that the direct payments for families won’t have as much impact. But it is a vital lifeline, and I applaud its passage. We have more to do, for our state and for our families. This is an important step in our continued work to see every American family through this difficult and uncertain time.”

Among the provisions in the bill are:

• A $150 Billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide states and localities additional resources to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey will receive approximately $3.4 billion in desperately needed funds to benefit our state’s residents.
• $260 Billion in Dramatically Expanded Unemployment Benefits including providing an additional $600 per week for the next four weeks, providing an additional 13 weeks of federally funded benefits, and expanding eligibility to include workers in the gig economy and self-employed workers.
• Immediate Direct Cash Payments to Lower and Middle-Income Americans of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child, beginning to phase out at an annual income of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a household.  These payments will provide individuals with the cash they need right now to survive with much of the economy currently shut down.
• More Than $375 Billion in Small Business Relief:  Provides more than $375 billion in small business relief, including $349 billion for forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees and keep them on the payroll; $17 billion for debt relief for current and new SBA borrowers; and $10 billion in immediate disaster grants.
• Approximately $200 Billion for Our Hospitals, Health Care Workers, and Health Research:  Provides an investment of about $200 billion in our hospitals, health systems, and health research, including expanding funding for the personal protective equipment desperately needed by our health care workers, including ventilators, n95 masks, gowns, gloves, etc.
• More Than $100 Billion in Additional Emergency Appropriations, Including the Following:
  • Transit Agencies:  Provides $25 billion to transit agencies, which have all seen a drastic drop in revenues as social distancing has been implemented.  This funding is to be used to protect the jobs of the employees of the transit agencies, funding their paychecks during this public health emergency.  New Jersey would receive approximately $ 1.25 billion
  • HUD Emergency Solution Grants:  Provides $2 billion for HUD Emergency Solution Grants to states that will be distributed by formula. These grants are designed to address the impact of the coronavirus among individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and to support additional homeless assistance, prevention, and eviction prevention assistance.  Of this $2 billion, our state will receive $53 million.
  • CDC Coronavirus State, Local and Tribal Grants Minimum Awards:  Provides about $750 million in CDC State, Local, and . Tribal Grants Minimum Awards to help agencies cope with the public health emergency.  The minimum award for our state is $15.4 million, and states can apply for additional funds above their minimum award, based on their needs.

A full summary of the bill can be found here.

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