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Walden, Wyden, Merkley, Gov. Brown virus-related news releases – Tuesday

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Published 12:12 am

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Here are the COVID-19-related news releases issued Tuesday from our lawmakers in Congress and Gov. Kate Brown:

MERKLEY, WYDEN, BONAMICI, DEFAZIO PUSH FOR FEMA DISASTER PLANS AMID PANDEMIC

Lawmakers emphasize need to mitigate coronavirus-related challenges in response to wildfires, other disasters

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Washington, D.C. – As the 2020 wildfire season rapidly approaches, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), and 78 of their congressional colleagues, are demanding that the Trump administration outline disaster preparation and recovery plans for a variety of potential disasters that may occur while the nation simultaneously addresses the coronavirus pandemic.

In their letter urging Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor to develop the plans, the lawmakers emphasized the unique challenges of responding to disasters—including wildfires—amid a pandemic. 

“As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country has steadily increased since the President invoked the Stafford Act, spring flooding season is now upon us, wildfire season is fast approaching, tornado outbreaks are starting to spread, a major earthquake could strike at any moment, and hurricane season – which is projected to be above average – is just around the corner,” the lawmakers wrote. “Addressing major disasters like these requires a highly coordinated response across all levels of government that will be greatly complicated by the COVID-19 national emergency, including the social distancing measures public health officials are recommending.”

“Further, the COVID-19 response has overwhelmed FEMA’s already thin resources, raising concerns about the Agency’s ability to handle both a nationwide public health crisis and the upcoming seasonal hazards that await,” the lawmakers continued. “Concerns are not just limited to inadequate staffing levels, sheltering procedures in a time of social distancing, and a global shortage of necessary protective gear.”

In light of these urgent issues, the lawmakers requested that FEMA share with Congress the steps it is taking to ensure that the agency is fully prepared to carry out its mission in responding to natural disasters during this pandemic.

Senators Merkley and Wyden have kept a steady drumbeat on the need to prepare for Oregon’s upcoming wildfire season, and announced last month that the U.S. Forest Service is bringing on five additional air tankers for use in Oregon. Those air tankers bring the total number of aircraft available for wildfire response to 18.

The full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

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Dear Administrator Gaynor:

We write to seek information about what specific steps the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is taking to ensure that it is adequately prepared to respond to a natural disaster during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. While these are unprecedented times and your Agency is working diligently to lead the Federal government response to the pandemic, we know that a natural disaster could strike at any moment. As the lead Federal agency responsible for emergency preparedness, response and recovery, it is imperative that your disaster preparation and recovery plans reflect the unique challenges presented by this ongoing pandemic response, so that the Federal government can provide adequate and timely assistance to any impacted State, local, tribal, or territorial government.

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country has steadily increased since the President invoked the Stafford Act, spring flooding season is now upon us, wildfire season is fast approaching, tornado outbreaks are starting to spread, a major earthquake could strike at any moment, and hurricane season—which is projected to be above average—is just around the corner. Addressing major disasters like these requires a highly coordinated response across all levels of government that will be greatly complicated by the COVID-19 national emergency, including the social distancing measures public health officials are recommending. Further, the COVID-19 response has overwhelmed FEMA’s already thin resources, raising concerns about the Agency’s ability to handle both a nationwide public health crisis and the upcoming seasonal hazards that await.

The hurricane and wildfire seasons of 2017 and 2018—which saw an unprecedented volume of catastrophic disasters—and the declared events in the years since have greatly tested FEMA’s all-hazards approach to disaster response. In Puerto Rico, we saw the devastating effects of a smaller scale public health crisis that resulted from an inadequate response to a natural disaster. In the Agency’s own after-action report, FEMA acknowledged that it was unprepared for Irma and Maria in both supplies and personnel. The report found that chronic understaffing in the Agency had put it in a position where they “placed staff in positions beyond their experiences and, in some instances, beyond their capabilities.”

Unfortunately, such issues remain while we are now facing the prospect of a simultaneous major natural disaster compounding the current public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns are not just limited to inadequate staffing levels, sheltering procedures in a time of social distancing, a global shortage of necessary protective gear. It is critical that FEMA share with Congress the steps it is taking to ensure that the Agency is fully prepared to carry out its mission in responding to natural disasters during this pandemic.

Therefore, we respectfully request answers to the following questions:

  1. If a natural disaster were to hit today, how many of FEMA’s specialized staff—those fully qualified to work in operations, safety, and planning—would be immediately available to deploy?
  2. With the Agency’s own Daily Operations Brief consistently reporting single digit availability of FEMA’s field leadership contingent—Federal Coordinating Officers, who are trained and certified to manage disasters around the country—available to be deployed, what is the Agency’s plan to grow the ranks of this cadre and how long will it take to train new field leaders?
  3. How soon does FEMA anticipate needing to utilize the Surge Capacity Force and/or increase the number of contractors, and what is the current strategy for doing so?
  4. FEMA’s two main training facilities – the Emergency Management Institute and the Center for Domestic Preparedness -- have been closed since March 14 and are not scheduled to open until at least May 10. What is the Agency’s plan for training both Federal staff and its State, local, tribal, and territorial partners?
  5. What are the specific strategies FEMA is using to coordinate with Federal, state, and local agencies in order to share information and prepare for the unique challenges these upcoming and overlapping disaster seasons will bring?
  6. How have those strategies changed to account for the unique challenges facing stakeholders such as limited training, conferences, and briefings that normally provide opportunities for sharing information and best practices?
  7. How is FEMA preparing for the possibility that a significant number of its own personnel may be ill or in self-isolation when faced with short- or no-notice natural disaster response and recovery?
  8. With FEMA relying on federal firefighters from the USFS, BLM, and other agencies to provide qualified incident management expertise for the COVID-19 response, what coordination has been undertaken with their home agencies to ensure that such personnel are ready for their primary mission come wildfire season and to reduce their risk of COVID-19 infection during their service under the FEMA-led pandemic response?
  9. How will FEMA ensure its Reservist cadre—which includes personnel who have underlying health conditions or may be older in age—are not penalized for opting out of a potentially hazardous deployment?
  10. With supply shortages of basic personal protective equipment (PPE) well-known, what is FEMA’s plan for providing PPE and other critical equipment to its staff and volunteers in order to ensure their health and safety during upcoming response operations?
  11. What is FEMA’s plan for coordinating with an already over-burdened health care system in the event that thousands of potential disaster survivors require medical assistance?
  12. What is FEMA’s alternate plan to address the need for mass sheltering and evacuation facilities when public health officials have advised for social distancing and against large gatherings?
  13. Is FEMA considering using its authority to activate Transitional Sheltering Assistance to utilize hotels and other non-congregate sheltering options in the immediate wake of a disaster rather than long-planned congregate shelters?
  14. What is FEMA’s plan to address the potential need for first responder base camps, which can often be crowded and make it difficult to follow social distancing guidelines?
  15. What efforts are being made by FEMA to coordinate directly with state and local entities to ensure that individuals in need of temporary housing as a result of a natural disaster have access to the food supplies they need, such as ensuring adequate numbers of volunteers to assist in food preparation and distribution or developing a program to reimburse states if they hire caterers and service industry workers should other voluntary organizations or aid not be available?
  16. What is FEMA doing to coordinate with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) to prepare for the real possibility of not being able to readily deploy the traditional volunteer force?
  17. What is FEMA’s plan for managing already stretched thin personnel across potentially multiple simultaneous natural disasters during the pandemic response, and what challenges does FEMA foresee in carrying out response efforts under these circumstances?
  18. Is FEMA considering halting permanent work on still-open past disasters and other ongoing projects in order to allocate additional resources and personnel for its pandemic response? If so, please specify the projects that would be impacted.
  19. Is FEMA considering proactively activating Public and Individual Assistance given the challenges states will face gathering Preliminary Damage Assessments?
  20. Is FEMA planning to provide states, tribes, and territories with any additional resources for natural disaster response, given that their emergency response capacity is being consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic?
  21. Does FEMA have a plan to expand the National Response Coordination Center at FEMA Headquarters or set up an expanded site in the event additional large-scale interagency activations are needed over the next few months?

In the case that FEMA has to respond to natural disasters during this pandemic, how will that affect the resources it is currently dedicating to the Coronavirus Task Force operations and other COVID-related efforts?

Wyden Requests Answers on Trump Signature on Checks

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today requested Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin provide information about the decision-making process that led to Donald Trump’s name being printed on Economic Impact Payment checks intended to assist Americans with the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic.   

The letter follows an interview where Secretary Mnuchin stated that it was his idea to put Trump’s name on the checks. The interview came just days after two congressional briefings where Treasury Department officials insisted that they were unable to answer any questions about the decision-making process. 

Wyden wrote, “I am concerned by reports that Economic Impact Payments to Americans will be delayed by the unprecedented decision to print ‘President Donald J. Trump’ on the checks, as well as conflicting reporting on how this decision was made. You stated during an interview that this decision ‘was [your] idea.’ This answer is surprising as my staff twice asked Treasury officials questions about signatures on the Economic Impact Payment checks and they did not answer them. If adding the signature was in fact your idea that information could have already been made available to Congress. To set the record straight, I request details about how you made this decision to benefit the president politically, which may delay delivery of critical funds to millions of Americans struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table.”

Full text of the letter is available here and follows:

Dear Secretary Mnuchin:

I am concerned by reports that Economic Impact Payments to Americans will be delayed by the unprecedented decision to print “President Donald J. Trump” on the checks, as well as conflicting reporting on how this decision was made.

You stated during an interview that this decision “was [your] idea.” This answer is surprising as my staff twice asked Treasury officials questions about signatures on the Economic Impact Payment checks and they did not answer them. If adding the signature was in fact your idea that information could have already been made available to Congress. To set the record straight, I request details about how you made this decision to benefit the president politically, which may delay delivery of critical funds to millions of Americans struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress, with bipartisan support, passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans. The CARES Act provided for direct payments to individuals and families, with American adults earning $75,000 or less receiving $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples, and $500 additional per child. The timing provision included for these payments reflects the urgency of the challenges we face: “The Secretary shall, subject to the provisions of this title, refund or credit any overpayment attributable to this section as rapidly as possible.

President Trump reportedly sought to personally sign the checks, rather than a non-partisan civil servant. The authority to sign checks drawn against all accounts of the Secretary of the Treasury is delegated to the Chief Disbursing Officer, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, who “may delegate this authority to Disbursing Officers under that official’s control and supervision.” Consistent with the text of this directive, no other president has signed an Internal Revenue Service disbursement. Consistent with the spirit of this directive, no other president has had his name printed in the memo line of an Internal Revenue Service disbursement.

I am concerned that the decision to gratuitously affix the president’s name to checks disbursing taxpayer funds may have delayed delivery of money urgently needed by millions of Americans to meet basic needs. Experts on this subject have been quoted in the press, noting “any last-minute request like this will create a downstream snarl that will result in a delay,” and such a delay would come at a time Americans could least afford it.

I write to you to clarify several aspects of this decision not only because you, as Secretary of the Treasury, oversee Internal Revenue Service operations, but also because this decision was—apparently—“[your] idea.” And, further, as Secretary of the Treasury, you were the official charged by law with making these payments “as rapidly as possible.”

Given the urgent concerns regarding payments, please provide the following as soon as possible.

  1. Will the President’s name appear on Economic Impact Payment checks sent to Americans?  If so, please explain in detail how and where the President’s name will appear on the checks.
  2. If the President’s name will appear on any Economic Impact Payment checks: 
    1. Did the Treasury Department conclude this decision provides any benefit to Americans struggling to pay rent or buy food?
    2. What effect will this have on the timing of issuance of those checks and how many individual checks will be affected by the decision to include the President’s name on them?
    3. Who at Treasury decided that the inclusion of the President’s name on the checks was appropriate or timely?
    4. Who at Treasury authorized the inclusion of the President’s name on the checks and why?  Who else approved or was otherwise involved in the determination of this decision?
    5. Who at Treasury directed the Bureau of Fiscal Services to include the President’s name on the checks?
    6. Who at Treasury was responsible for making the physical changes to the checks in order to include the President’s name?
    7. Treasury and IRS officials have indicated to Committee staff that Treasury can physically issue approximately 5 million such checks a week. Please confirm the number of checks Treasury is able to issue per week and the length of time Treasury expects it will take to issue all such checks.
  3. If the President’s name will appear on any Economic Impact Payment checks and the inclusion of the President’s name had any effect on the timing of issuance of those checks, how was this action consistent with the CARES Act provision directing that the “Secretary [of the Treasury] shall [. . .] refund or credit any overpayment attributable to this section as rapidly as possible.”
  4.  Has the name of any President ever before appeared on a check drawn against an account of the Department of Treasury?
  5.  Does the President have the authority to sign a check drawn against any account of the Department of Treasury?  If so, please explain how this authority is consistent with Treasury Directive 16-23.

Sincerely,

Ron Wyden 

Trump Administration Responds to Wyden’s and Casey’s Call to Publicly Release Names of Nursing Homes with COVID-19 Cases

After Senators’ Repeated Calls for Transparency, CMS to Announce Intent to Require Nursing Homes to Share the Scope of the Spread of COVID-19

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, secured a commitment by the Trump Administration to publicly release the names of nursing homes across the country that have cases of COVID-19. This decision follows a letter sent earlier this month from the Senators urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to release this critical information to nursing home residents, their families, health care professionals, first responders and the public.

“We are pleased that the Trump Administration heeded our calls to increase transparency of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we want them to put these requirements in place as quickly as possible. Once in place, this critical step will ensure that families have necessary information about their loved ones amid this public health crisis and help direct resources to facilities being ravaged by outbreaks,” said the Senators. “However, the Administration must do more to help state and local communities to limit the spread of the virus. That includes making this information public quickly and updating it in real time, increasing testing capacity, getting front-line workers the protective equipment they need and providing premium pay to the heroic workers on the front-lines.”

In their letter, dated April 2, the Senators also requested a briefing on how CMS intends to spend $100 million provided to the agency to limit the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes as part of the recently passed CARES Act. One of the first known outbreaks of COVID-19 occurred in a Washington state nursing home, Life Care Center, leading to more than 35 deaths due to the coronavirus.                   

Read the letter here.

Governor Kate Brown Calls on Congress to Support Oregon Priorities in Federal Relief Packages

(Portland, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today called on Congress to support Oregon's priorities and critical needs in upcoming federal relief and economic recovery packages.

The letter calls for additional federal funding to support Oregon's hospitals, long-term care facilities, small businesses and manufacturers, as well as for unemployment insurance, rental assistance, food assistance, and schools. Governor Brown also united with her fellow governors across the country in calling for direct federal assistance to states to help bridge the fiscal gap created by revenue shortfalls and ensure the continuation of critical state services.

"Oregon took quick and decisive action to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. Oregonians have done their part and made sacrifices to save lives during this crisis, and it's time for Congress to address the toll this pandemic has taken on their livelihoods and the economy," said Governor Brown. "States have been at the tip of the spear in this crisis and have had to shoulder significant costs while experiencing unprecedented losses of revenue.

"I appreciated the urgency with which Congress passed the first federal CARES Act, and I thank Oregon's congressional delegation for their leadership in making sure that that package served Oregonians' immediate needs. But this is an unprecedented crisis, and it is clear that further significant federal support is necessary."

Greg Walden Shares What Veterans Need to Know to Receive Stimulus Checks 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) praised cooperation between the Treasury Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that will make it easier for VA beneficiaries to receive their automatic economic impact payments. 
 
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was passed at the end of March, included funding for individual economic impact payments. Most Americans will receive a payment of $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per couple, and $500 per child directly to their bank account via direct deposit.  
 
The IRS-administered payments presented a particular challenge for Americans receiving VA benefits as their only source of income, as those individuals are not typically required to file tax returns. Now, veterans and their beneficiaries who receive compensation and pension benefit payments from VA will not need to take additional actions to receive their $1,200 check. 
 
“The IRS’s announcement is welcome news for veterans in Oregon and across the country. Since VA beneficiaries do not need to file tax returns, it only makes sense that they do not need to take any action to receive their stimulus check. I applaud the IRS, VA, and the Department of Treasury for implementing this sensible rule,” said Walden. 
 
Following the passage of the CARES Act, taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2018 were already qualified to receive their economic impact payment automatically. Earlier this month, the IRS took similar action to authorize automatic payments for Americans receiving Social Security, disability, supplemental security, and railroad retirement benefits. 
 
If you are unsure about your eligibility, or would like to check the status of your Economic Impact Payment, you can use the IRS Get My Payment tool here. 
 
Americans are urged to be vigilant against scams related to the CARES Act. The Treasury Department will NOT ask you to pay anything for the payment most Americans will receive as a result of the CARES Act and will not contact you for your bank account information. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the government asking for this type of information, please report it to the FCC here. You can learn more about how to protect yourself from these types of scams here. 

Greg Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19 - April 21

April 21, 2020 Press Release
An Update for April 21, 2020

Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 21, 2020.

The latest on the coronavirus:

How to Get Your Economic Impact Payment

Most Americans have begun to see their payment of $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per couple, and $500 per child arrive directly to their bank account via direct deposit thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

The IRS announced a change for veterans who receive disability compensation, a pension, or survivor benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs  - these  veterans DO NOT need to do anything to receive their payment.

Those on Social Security who do not file taxes also DO NOT need to file anything to receive this new payment.

Low income individuals with a gross income between $12,200 for individuals and $24,400 for married couples that do not file taxes, WILL need to submit information to the IRS to receive this payment. You can provide this information through the IRS’s website here.

For additional information about the economic impact payment you can visit the IRS website here.

Assistance for Farmers: 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), an immediate relief program that provides $19 billion in support to farmers and ranchers, maintains the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensures access to food for those in need.  This includes $16 billion in direct support to farmers and ranchers based on actual losses for agricultural producers.  Read more here.

Walden Selected to White House Task Force

Last week, President Trump selected Greg Walden to join the White House Economic Task Force. The bipartisan, bicameral task force will advise the White House on reopening the economy. Read more here.

Funds Run Dry for PPP and EIDL:

Last week, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program ran out of money. The week before, President Trump called on Congress to prevent these funds from running dry, but Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer stopped that effort in its tracks. Read more here.

Nationwide, the PPP approved forgivable loans to more than 1.6 million small businesses and processed nearly $350 billion in only 14 days.

In Oregon, the PPP approved over 18,700 forgivable loans and processed over $3.8 billion in only 14 days.

FEMA Project Airbridge:

FEMA has launched Project Airbridge to help efficiently maintain the country’s existing medical supply chain infrastructure. The goal is to reduce the amount of time it takes for U.S. medical supply distributors to get commercially sourced and procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other critical supplies into the country for their customers. FEMA is covering the cost to fly the supplies into the U.S. from overseas factories, which will cut the amount of time it takes to ship supplies from weeks to days.

 As of April 19, Project Airbridge has completed 66 flights with an additional 49 scheduled for a total of approximately 115 flights.


NIH Begins New Study:

NIH has begun recruiting for a new study to quantify undetected cases of COVID-19.  In this “serosurvey,” researchers will collect and analyze blood samples from as many as 10,000 volunteers to provide critical data for epidemiological models, helping to illuminate the extent to which the virus has spread undetected in the United States.  People interested in joining this study should contact clinicalstudiesunit@nih.gov. 

Clinical trial information is here. 

Watch out for COVID-19 Scams:

Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission are reporting a spike in coronavirus related scams including home testing kits, fake cures, and other malicious attempts to prey on COVID-19 fears. The Treasury Department will NOT ask you to pay anything for the payment most Americans will receive as a result of the CARES Act and will not contact you for your bank account information. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the government asking for this type of information, please report it to www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can learn more about how to protect yourself from these types of scams here.

Resources to Know and Share: Here are some helpful resources and information on COVID-19.

Individual Payments:

The IRS launched the “Get My Payment” web portal with features to let taxpayers check on their Economic Impact Payment date and update direct deposition information. Click here to check on the status of your payment.

Helpful Resources on PPE:

CDC updated the PPE Burn Rate Calculator, a spreadsheet-based model that will help health care facilities plan and optimize the use of PPE for response to COVID-19.  More here.

You can now see PPE shipments to Oregon counties here.

ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
The application for borrowers can be found HERE

Other resources on the Paycheck Protection Program:


INFORMATION FOR AMERICANS ABROAD:

The State Department has repatriated over 50,000 Americans from more than 90 countries.

The State Department is making efforts to bring home Americans, including through commercial flights, chartered flights, and military transport.  Any American abroad who needs assistance should contact their local U.S. embassy and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), available here or by calling 1-888-407-4747.

If you decide to travel abroad or are already outside the United States:

  • Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
  • Have a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.
  • Review and follow the CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
  • Check with your airline, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
  • Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
  • Visit Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
  • Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United  States


ASSISTANCE FROM HHS AND FEMA:

HHS and FEMA have fielded many requests to assist or partner with the Federal Government in response to the COVID pandemic.

  • Organizations or individuals seeking to contract with the federal government to import or manufacture medical products to aid the U.S. response submit information to FEMA through a Request for Proposal, available here.
  • Organizations or individuals that wish to donate medical supplies or equipment can submit that information here.
  • Other inquiries from organizations or individuals, including individuals who want to volunteer or organizations that want to produce a product related to the COVID response, among other inquiries, can be referred to https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help. 

How to schedule a blood donation appointment:

Greg Walden Statement on Funding Agreement for Paycheck Protection Program  
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement after the House and Senate reached an agreement on a supplemental funding package that would refill the Paycheck Protect Program (PPP), which ran out of funding last week.  

“I’m glad an agreement has finally been reached to provided needed funds for the Paycheck Protection Program, and look forward to supporting it, but it didn’t have to be this way. Democrat Leaders in the House and Senate have played partisan politics every step of the way, needlessly delaying passage of the CARES Act, and preventing a quick replenishment of funds for the Paycheck Protection Program leaving small businesses and their employees in the lurch.  With record unemployment claims, we’ve seen that every single day counts in this pandemic.

“The agreement also includes additional funding for testing, as well as for health care providers. Unlike the PPP, funding for providers has not yet run dry, but additional support for our front lines is needed.  As a member of President Trump’s bipartisan task force on reopening the economy, I am committed to ensuring there are resources and strategies in place for the widespread testing experts have said is needed to reopen the country, and this funding will help.

“But we must move forward in a united way that puts the needs of the American people over the whims of Democrats in Congress. The American people are not leverage, and it’s time to stop acting like they are. They deserve better,” said Walden.

MERKLEY, BLUMENTHAL LEAD COLLEAGUES IN PUSH FOR URGENT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), today led a group of 22 of their colleagues in pressing Senate leadership to include critical workforce development and career and technical education (CTE) funding in the next coronavirus relief bill.

In their letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators echoed the concerns of 38 labor and education advocacy groups calling for immediate assistance from Congress, and requested a minimum workforce investment of $15.1 billion.

“Although unemployment is surging overall, certain workforce needs are nonetheless growing, from frontline health services to manufacturing PPE and essential equipment, to contact tracing, and there is frequently a mismatch between the skills demanded for these jobs and the available workforce,” the senators wrote. “Although jobs in these industries do not always require four-year academic degrees, they necessitate high-quality workforce training and development. An immediate investment in workforce development would respond to the current demand for these employees while offering Americans meaningful, well-paying careers.”

“By supporting the development and availability of a workforce trained in in-demand skills, we can accelerate the recovery of our nation’s economy. Providing these newly unemployed individuals—and those yet to file claims—training and support today will prepare them to transition into new careers and pursue reemployment opportunities as our economy rebounds,” the senators continued.

Specifically, the senators requested that the funding be funneled towards programs authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act—programs designed to help build a strong, skilled, and diverse American workforce.

The letter comes as nearly 22 million workers filed for unemployment in the course of a month and as the economy shed nearly all of the jobs gained over the past five years. 

Senators Merkley and Blumenthal were joined in sending the letter by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Angus King, (I-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Margaret Hassan (D-NH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Robert Casey (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

The full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

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Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer:

Thank you for your bipartisan effort to respond to the health and economic impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As you prepare for a fourth economic relief package, we respectfully request you allocate at least $15.1 billion to the workforce development system in the United States to help our country respond the demands for new workers in key industries and help individuals who have lost their jobs as a result of this crisis transition to family-supporting jobs.

Over the past month, nearly 22 million workers filed unemployment claims, and nearly all of the jobs gained in the last five years have been lost. In addition, the Economic Policy Institute estimates that 19.8 million workers will lose their jobs or be furloughed by summer, and that the national unemployment rate will be well above 15 percent by July.

Although unemployment is surging overall, certain workforce needs are nonetheless growing, from frontline health services to manufacturing PPE and essential equipment, to contact tracing, and there is frequently a mismatch between the skills demanded for these jobs and the available workforce.  Although jobs in these industries do not always require four-year academic degrees, they necessitate high-quality workforce training and development. An immediate investment in workforce development would respond to the current demand for these employees while offering Americans meaningful, well-paying careers.

Moreover, we must strategically plan for a post-coronavirus period of economic recovery and make sure workers have the construction, manufacturing, and other technical skills that they need to rejoin an evolving workforce. Economists are already warning that many of the jobs lost may not come back and that the current crisis will only accelerate changes in the economy.  By supporting the development and availability of a workforce trained in in-demand skills, we can accelerate the recovery of our nation’s economy. Providing these newly unemployed individuals—and those yet to file claims—training and support today will prepare them to transition into new careers and pursue reemployment opportunities as our economy rebounds.

Labor unions, workforce boards, community colleges, community-based organizations, and other groups that provide career and technical education, are ready to support Americans who are in need of assistance, as they were during the downturn known as the “Great Recession.” Congress was also ready to assist workers during that crisis; it increased funding for employment and training assistance by 40 percent. That decisive action helped our workforce development system serve more than eight million people. We ask Congress to once again support employment and training assistance programs.

Specifically, we urge you to invest at least $15.1 billion in programs authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, including Wagner-Peyser, youth and adult education, Layoff Aversion Funds, and the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, in forthcoming COVID-19 relief legislation.

Thirty-eight labor and education advocacy groups share our concerns and call for immediate assistance from Congress.

Thank you for your commitment to developing a strong, skilled, and diverse workforce in the United States. We look forward to working with you on the next relief package to ensure we provide resources to reskill and upskill workers.

Sincerely,

AS SENATE PASSES INTERIM RELIEF PACKAGE, MERKLEY CALLS FOR FURTHER AID TO AMERICAN FAMILIES

Senator calls out need for utility shut-off ban, mail-in voting, aid to states and local governments, and comprehensive testing and tracing

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed an interim bill to provide additional emergency funding to small businesses, health care, and coronavirus testing efforts:

“This bill provides urgently needed stopgap funding for our national response to the coronavirus threat. Over the last several weeks, I’ve spoken with hundreds of small business owners and health care providers in Oregon who are hanging on by their fingernails. Today’s action will help send out a desperately needed life raft to our small businesses and their employees, and to our hospitals and health clinics, while also providing more resources to ramp up testing efforts around the country.

“I’ve been fighting hard to make sure that smaller businesses and rural hospitals get significant assistance in this package. Additionally, as the top Democrat on the Senate’s Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I fought to make sure that our agricultural businesses will be eligible for more of these small business assistance programs. This bill is a big victory on those fronts.

“Critically, today’s legislation includes a new provision that will ensure a significant share of the small business funding goes to mom-and-pop and other underbanked businesses, especially those that are in rural areas or are minority-owned. We need an economic recovery that is built from the grassroots up, not from the wealthy and powerful down. It’s crucial that this support goes out to Main Street businesses all across America, instead of just businesses that are already well-connected and well-served by the financial system.

“While today’s bill provides a necessary stopgap for our small businesses and hospitals, we cannot delay in providing further relief to American families. Congress must immediately get to work on a bill that addresses significant gaps in the response so far.

  • “We need to help the families and individuals who are hurting the most right now, and pass a nationwide moratorium on utility disconnections, an increase in food stamp benefits, and assistance for unemployed workers to afford COBRA health coverage.
  • “State, local, and tribal governments, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, need urgent help to maintain vital services for our communities.
  • “Congress needs to put in place nationwide mail-in and no-excuse absentee voting, so that this health crisis doesn’t also become a full-blown democracy crisis this November.
  • “And we urgently need a comprehensive plan and funding for the large-scale testing and contact tracing that is critical to reopening our nation safely, as well as a path to ramp up domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity rapidly over the next year.

“Americans are counting on us. Let’s deliver for them.”


Wyden Statement on Senate Passage of the Interim Emergency Package

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on Senate passage of the interim emergency package:

"My phone has been ringing off the hook in the last several weeks with small business people in Oregon needing federal relief, and health care providers and hospitals desperate for more PPE, testing, and other support to protect themselves and Oregonians in their care. The interim agreement passed by the Senate today provides essential funding to help now for all of these folks, and it’s an improvement to what Republican Leader Mitch McConnell wanted to do a week ago. That's great news for Oregonians, but there's no question that more work remains ahead. 

Wyden Statement on Senate Passage of the Interim Emergency Package

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on Senate passage of the interim emergency package:

"My phone has been ringing off the hook in the last several weeks with small business people in Oregon needing federal relief, and health care providers and hospitals desperate for more PPE, testing, and other support to protect themselves and Oregonians in their care. The interim agreement passed by the Senate today provides essential funding to help now for all of these folks, and it’s an improvement to what Republican Leader Mitch McConnell wanted to do a week ago. That's great news for Oregonians, but there's no question that more work remains ahead. 

"I'm going to stay at it to make sure, like this language directs, that those underserved and underbanked small businesses will receive equal access to relief. The direct funds to support community banking institutions in the interim package is a step in the right direction. Ultimately, to save our economy, we need to stop this virus in its tracks. That means accurate, reliable and widespread testing. Importantly, along with more money for testing, this agreement requires the Trump administration to be accountable to Congress on how it plans to increase testing capacity. Again, more work needs to be done, and I look forward to staying at it in the days ahead.”

Article Topic Follows: Coronavirus

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