Rep. Zeldin Statement re: Agreement Reached on New Coronavirus Response Bill | Congressman Lee Zeldin

Rep. Zeldin Statement re: Agreement Reached on New Coronavirus Response Bill

April 21, 2020
Press Release

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the bipartisan White House Opening Up America Again Congressional Group and bipartisan Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, released the following statement after an agreement was reached and the Senate passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Senate Amendment to H.R. 266).

This afternoon, Congressman Zeldin met with President Trump at the White House to discuss the deal and additional coronavirus response priorities, including Long Island’s continued need for resources to battle this outbreak such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and additional direct funding for state and local governments.

“Vital funding for our nation’s small businesses should have never been allowed to lapse, but finally Congress got its act together and worked together in a non-partisan way to continue funding these important priorities,” said Congressman Zeldin. “On Long Island, our healthcare workers are on the front line of the battle against coronavirus and our hospitals and healthcare facilities desperately need this funding to continue this fight. Thanks to their hard work, our communities will emerge stronger than ever, and by investing in coronavirus testing while supporting the small businesses that employ nearly 50% of our nation’s workforce, we can ensure our way of life will survive as well. I look forward to continuing to fight for additional critical priorities, such as funding for state and local governments hardest hit by this outbreak as we consider a Phase 4 coronavirus response bill.”

The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act provides:

  • $310 billion in funding for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP);

  • $60 billion in funding for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL);

  • $25 billion for testing research, manufacturing, procurement and administration;

  • $75 billion in reimbursements to hospitals for coronavirus related costs;

  • $825 million in additional funding for Community Health Centers (CHC).

The House of Representatives is expected to pass the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act on Thursday and send the bill to the President to be signed into law.