The COVID Relief Bill is headed to the President’s desk, but there’s much more to it than stimulus checks. MS Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith both supported the package. Senator Wicker’s Office went into detail:
· Accelerate vaccine development and coronavirus response efforts by providing $68 billion in additional support for front-line providers, vaccine distribution, and testing and tracing efforts.
· Add $284 billion to the highly-successful Paycheck Protection Program and make key modifications to the program to make it work better for small businesses with high-operating costs and low margins, including local restaurants.
· Extend additional federal unemployment insurance payments at a rate of $300 per week.
· Include a one-time direct payment of up to $600 each for legal residents, including adults and children.
· Extend aid to key transportation sectors, including airports, passenger rail, motor coaches, passenger vessels, transit, and highways.
· Include $82 billion to help schools and institutions of higher learning cover expenses necessary for safe reopening and continued learning.
· Include $10.25 billion to support child care providers.
· Provide $11 billion to support agricultural producers impacted by COVID-19.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wicker led provisions to:
· Provide $7 billion for broadband expansion, including telehealth and supply chain security.
· Continue support for the Payroll Support Program, which provides support to keep thousands of aviation industry employees employed.
