Sens. Wyden, Merkley COVID-19-related news releases

May 12, 2020 3:49 pm

Published May 12, 2020 8:15 am

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Here are the latest news releases from the offices of Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., related to COVID-19 and assistance funding:

Wyden, Merkley Call for Robust Funding to Aid the Homeless in Next COVID-19 Relief Package

Senators also announce bill to provide $11.5 billion for states and localities responding to the needs of those experiencing homelessness

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., on Monday urged Congressional leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population, who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter was signed by 73 Members of Congress.

Wyden and Merkley also joined colleagues in introducing the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act, which would provide the $11.5 billion in critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Oregonians across the state are facing unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, especially children and families experiencing homelessness. Our local communities urgently need emergency resources to respond to the unique health and economic risk of our most vulnerable neighbors needing shelter,” Wyden said. “Any future COVID-19 relief package must include significant funding dedicated to serving families and individuals experiencing homelessness.”

“As Oregon grapples with a housing crisis, this pandemic is only making it worse,” said Merkley. “Between physical distancing challenges and a lack of access to sanitation services, Oregonians who are experiencing homelessness are among the hardest-hit by the coronavirus. We can, and must, help protect these individuals—and the safety of the health care workers on the frontlines of this crisis—by enacting bold policies to put roofs over their heads.”

On any given night, half a million people in the United States will face homelessness. This includes more than 50,000 families with children, who often turn to emergency shelters for housing. A new report estimates individuals experiencing homelessness who contract coronavirus will be twice as likely to be hospitalized, up to four times as likely to need critical care, and two to three times as likely to die as the general population. These vulnerabilities put both those experiencing homelessness and our frontline healthcare and human services workers at higher risk.

The flexibility of ESG funding allows states, localities and nonprofits to react quickly to the needs of these vulnerable communities, including through rapid rehousing and expedited long-term rehousing, and helping to lessen the density of, and reliance on, temporary shelters. These funds may also be used for sanitation efforts such as portable hand-washing stations and the purchase of hand sanitizer and personal protective equipment, so individuals can follow the health practices recommended by public health experts to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Wyden and Merkley joined U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in introducing the bill along with U.S. Sens. Senators Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Tina Smith, D-Minn. The bill has been endorsed by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Housing Law Project, and National Alliance to End Homelessness.

A copy of the letter is available here.

A copy of the bill text is available here.

Wyden Introduces Bill to Make Major Investments in Public Health, Wildfire Prevention and Rural Jobs as Part of COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Efforts

New Wyden legislation would provide significant investment for wildfire resiliency to protect Americans from wildfire smoke, boost support for rural economies hit hard by COVID-19

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced legislation that would bolster wildfire prevention and preparedness to protect the health and safety of communities during the unparalleled combination of threats posed by wildfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The legislation also would provide relief and job creation measures that equip rural economies to respond to the unique threats they’re facing during this public health and economic crisis.

“A historic global pandemic that’s still raging at the start of wildfire season adds up to a prescription for major problems in the months ahead to public health and rural jobs in Oregon and nationwide,” Wyden said. “This legislation takes that pair of problems head-on with a comprehensive attack that connects all the dots with a 21st century Conservation Corps and more to protect health and save jobs.”

The impacts of COVID-19 on public health and the economy, combined with high levels of drought throughout the West, create unprecedented wildland firefighting challenges in 2020. Those at increased risk for adverse health effects due to wildfire smoke exposure – people who suffer from heart or respiratory diseases – are also particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. The crisis also quickly brought the outdoor economy to a halt. Many forest workers, despite their essential work, were laid off and others, like outfitters and guides who rely on tourism and outdoor recreation, are unable to work during their busy season.

Wyden’s 21st Century Conservation Corps for Our Health and Our Jobs Act will provide significant investment in wildfire prevention and resiliency efforts; programs that can get rural Americans back to work when it’s deemed safe by public health experts to do so; direct relief for outfitters and guides; as well as extensive resources for watershed restoration. The legislation:

Provides an additional $3.5 billion for the U.S. Forest Service and $2 billion for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to increase the pace and scale of hazardous fuels reduction and thinning efforts, prioritizing projects that are shovel-ready and environmentally-reviewed;

Establishes a $7 billion relief fund to help outfitters and guides who hold U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior special use permits – and their employees – stay afloat through the truncated recreation season;

Establishes a $9 billion fund for qualified land and conservation corps to increase job training and hiring specifically for jobs in the woods, helping to restore public lands and watersheds, while providing important public health related jobs in this time of need;

Provides an additional $150 million for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, the flagship program for community forest restoration and fire risk reduction;

Provides $6 billion for U.S. Forest Service capital improvements and maintenance to put people to work reducing the maintenance backlog on National Forest System lands, including reforestation;

Provides $500 million for the Forest Service State and Private Forestry program, which will be divided between programs to help facilitate landscape restoration projects on state, private and federal lands, including $100 million for the Firewise program to help local governments plan for and reduce wildfire risks;

Provides $10 billion for on-farm water conservation and habitat improvement projects;

Provides full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has broad bipartisan support; and

Provides $100 million for land management agencies to purchase and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees, contractors and service workers.

A one-page summary is available here.

A section-by-section summary is available here.

A copy of the legislative text is available here.

Gopal Allada, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) School of Medicine, and Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program at OHSU: “Wildfire smoke contains a variety of particulate matter that poses a public health threat, especially for those with underlying pulmonary conditions, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema (COPD). These individuals are more likely to have prolonged effects, and in some cases, irreversible damage with persistent and/or repeated exposures. The benefits of reducing particulate matter in the air are immense. The passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970 and subsequent reductions in major air pollutants reduced the number of heart attacks, hospital admissions and mortality. Further reductions would not only have a direct impact on health outcomes, but significant impact in health care costs to society.”

Joe Whitworth, President, The Freshwater Trust: “With smart investments in our family farms, community water supplies, outfitters, and wildfire risk reduction, we can collaboratively build the dependable rural jobs and greater resiliency we will need in our ever-changing world. The funding provided by this proposal would get people back to work on the land, in the woods, and on the water. It would create new federal partnerships that build on the can-do spirit of communities across the country, and at the right scale and speed that can truly make a difference with the problems we face right now.”

Matt Wade, Advocacy and Policy Director, American Mountain Guides Association: “Rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing guides around the country are experiencing grave circumstances as the COVID-19 crisis is affecting their ability to provide educational courses and guided trips on public lands. Senator Wyden’s bill will help guides across the country weather the storm and be poised to help people from all walks of life experience the outdoors when public lands open again. We are extremely grateful for Senator Wyden's support at this critical time.”

Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President and CEO, The Corps Network: "During the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt said that no country can afford the waste of human resources. His response was to put Americans to work through popular and successful programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps. In response to this current crisis, a bold investment in Youth and Conservation Corps would offer a solution to rising youth unemployment. By engaging young people and veterans in service to our country, Corps can improve public lands and communities and provide training in the skills needed for a bright future. We extend our appreciation to Senator Wyden for championing the critical role that Corps can play in helping our country through these unprecedented times."

Aaron Bannon, Executive Director, American Outdoors Association: “Outfitters and guides have been hit hard by the current crisis, and unlike other industrial sectors, they will not have a chance to recover when the crisis subsides due to the seasonal nature of the industry. The relief in this bill will keep the sustainable recreation economy alive, which is important to so many Americans who value the great outdoors.”

Daniel Courtney, Chairman, Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians: “We are grateful to Senator Wyden for his attention to struggling tribal communities and for this long overdue relief offered during these difficult times. The funding will restore the health of our overcrowded forests while providing a much needed shot in the arm to the economy of our local community.”

Marc Brinkmeyer, Chairman of the Board, Idaho Forest Group: “We appreciate Senator Wyden’s leadership with the proposed investments in our public lands. Sen. Wyden understands the depth and severity of the forest health crisis on our National Forests and these investments would go a long way towards addressing these problems. The forest industry stands ready to help accomplish increased management on our Federal forests, and investing in roads and timber is an important means to creating family-wage, year-round jobs in an economy that has been severely challenged by the Covid-19 pandemic. While these investments are critically important to address forest health and wildfire threats, unaddressed policy and legal challenges remain. We look forward to collaborating with the Senator to address these on-going legal challenges in future legislative efforts.”

Kameran Onley, Director of U.S. Government Relations, The Nature Conservancy: “We commend Senator Wyden for proposing to invest in rural America through the conservation of natural resources in our forests, fields, rangelands, rivers and streams. Never have Americans valued our lands and waters more, turning to nature for comfort in this time of isolation and economic hardship. The Nature Conservancy appreciates Senator Wyden's efforts to prioritize investments in programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund that have a proven track record of delivering lasting conservation outcomes while also driving local economies.”

Jim Desmond, Oregon State Director, The Nature Conservancy: “Oregon, like much of the West, will soon face another wildfire season, but forest restoration and other efforts to prepare against this threat are being stalled by the pandemic. Senator Wyden's proposal will provide critical relief to rural communities at greater risk of lost revenues and higher levels of respiratory diseases this wildfire season. Senator Wyden deserves praise for his swift and comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of our rural communities that are heavily dependent on natural resources.”

Zach Collier, Owner/Outfitter, Northwest Rafting Company: “Due to COVID-19 closures, outfitting and guiding has come to a screeching halt right when our busy season was scheduled to begin. Senator Wyden’s bill keeps the guiding industry afloat while investing in recreation infrastructure and the health and resiliency of our forests. This bill will allow me to keep river guides employed improving our public lands immediately.”

Louis Geltman, Policy Director, Outdoor Alliance: "As our country navigates the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunity to get into the outdoors has been a fleeting bit of solace for many Americans. At the same time, the crisis has demonstrated the need for better recreation infrastructure, especially close to home, and addressing that unmet demand presents tremendous opportunities to put Americans to work building resources that will be of lasting value to communities. Outdoor Alliance applauds Senator Wyden's leadership in recognizing the tremendous value of our public lands and waters in helping our country recover from this crisis."

Thomas O’Keefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director, American Whitewater: “A leader on public lands and rivers conservation over many years, Senator Wyden understands that our public lands are essential to our physical and mental health. As we face the unprecedented challenges of the current public health crisis, we appreciate the Senator’s leadership in advancing legislation to invest in public lands and the outdoor recreation economy.”

Tyson Bertone-Riggs, Policy Analyst, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition: “In the wake of a devastating economic and public health crisis, restoring and maintaining America’s watersheds, forests and grasslands will be vital to providing new economic opportunities. This bill not only proposes to create much-needed jobs in rural communities, but will also help to overcome some of the most pressing natural resource problems facing the West. This legislation directly addresses critical needs including fire risk reduction, watershed restoration, habitat conservation, and support for the imperiled outfitter guide business community. This bill also puts rural communities front and center by encouraging contracting that supports local business and allows rural community groups to be full partners in restoration projects and job creation. The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition (RVCC) thanks Senator Wyden for his leadership and unwavering commitment to communities and the land.”

Nils Christoffersen, Executive Director, Wallowa Resources: “This is a comprehensive package addressing wildfire risk and forest restoration, as well as stimulus to rural economies and support for workforce development. Senator Wyden’s bill is an investment in solving some of the most pressing challenges for rural communities near National Forests. It is a strong, proactive move to support rural Oregon during these economically uncertain times.”

Dylan Kruse, Director of Government Affairs & Program Strategy, Sustainable Northwest: “Sustainable Northwest commends Senator Wyden for introduction of this ambitious and urgently needed legislation. This bill will provide immediate resources to support thousands of good-paying jobs in our forest and recreation sectors, rebuild aging infrastructure, protect communities from wildfire, and ensure that everyone has access to clean and plentiful water. Not only will this bill put Oregonians back to work, but it makes smart, bipartisan investments in a safer, healthier, and stronger state for decades to come.”

Susan Jane M. Brown, Staff Attorney, Western Environmental Law Center: “Reinvesting in America’s public lands is a win for all of us who work and play on these lands. This legislation will provide important support for critical programs that are essential to stewardship of our national forests, parks, and other public lands.”

Marko Bey, Executive Director, Lomakatsi Restoration Project: “As Southern Oregon continues to grapple with the frequency and severity of wildfire, there is an urgent need to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration across watersheds. This legislation would provide much needed funding to get more forest restoration on the ground within shovel-ready projects throughout the Rogue Basin and beyond, to reduce hazardous fuel loading and mitigate the risk of wildfire to communities, while also protecting ecosystem services. At the same time, this funding would create long-term jobs and workforce training opportunities for youth and adults, while boosting local economies in rural, forest-based communities. This funding is a win-win for people and nature, and is essential for making our communities safer from wildfire risks that will only continue to grow.”

Vernon Stearns, President, Intertribal Timber Commission: “Tribal economies have been devastated by COVID-19, which has closed some of the largest tribal enterprises. Tribal timber production is more important than ever to tribal economies and generates revenue for essential services like healthcare.”

Bob Rees, Executive Director, NW Guides and Anglers Association: “As an industry well invested in urban to rural economics, Senator Wyden’s bill answers the urgency rural communities have been calling for during these challenging times. Bringing these dollars to the woods, farms and waters of Oregon will have a real impact. It will give our collective communities the opportunity to rebuild our infrastructure, better secure our landscape and re-build our businesses that have been devastated by depressed fish runs and compromised opportunity. We’re extremely grateful that the Senator has the foresight to understand what this investment means to all Oregonians.”

Brian Sykes, President, Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association: “Most outfitters and guides in Oregon are small businesses, independent contractors or sole proprietors; and a significant number of these have already suffered significant financial loss due to COVID-19 closures. Providing assistance for struggling outfitters is crucial for providing employment and supporting local businesses (often in rural areas) and providing a service for members of the public who otherwise might not have access to the outdoors. Fees generated by outfitter business are also important for supporting local trail and facility maintenance. Another important priority of this bill is the substantial support it provides for hazardous fuels management. Wildfires have a severe and direct impact on outdoor recreation in general and outfitters and guides in particular.”

Aaron Lieberman, Executive Director, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association: “The outfitting and guiding industry finds itself in a uniquely precarious situation due to novel coronavirus. Bookings are spiraling and anticipated losses compounding. Our industry is central to rural economies across the country. In Idaho alone, outfitters and guides generate over 1 billion dollars per year. There is a real and immediate need in our industry, and the rural economies our industry supports, for this initiative being proposed by Senator Wyden. Like the proposed bill to be introduced by Senator Daines across the aisle, it demonstrates a recognition of our industry’s centrality to rural economies, to recreational opportunities, and to the ethos of the American West and our nation.”

Pete Wallstrom, Guide/Owner, Momentum River Expeditions; Upper Klamath Outfitters Association: “Outfitted outdoor recreation in our region has grown and thrived in the last decade and is a bright spot in our rural economies, providing sustainable jobs and career opportunities and introducing people to our incredible public lands. However, COVID 19 could decimate many of the small businesses that make up the industry and cause long term damage to our local rural economies. This bill will support our public lands and the many communities and businesses that depend on them by supporting outfitters, critical forest resiliency and wildfire projects, and the backlog of trail and facility maintenance projects. It would provide critical short term help and be a long term win for the region. We strongly support this bill.”

Erik Weiseth, Managing Partner/River Guide, Orange Torpedo Trips - Whitewater Cowboys - The Paddled Pub - Salmon River Challenge: “Outfitting and guiding is an industry we are in because we love it. We love showing people the incredible places we operate. We love inspiring kids to explore the world and step away from their screens. We love watching families bond as they float out of cell phone range and into conversations with each other. We love sharing what are some of the most impactful travel moments of people’s lives. All of this could end. It is commonly believed that without significant changes in current travel capabilities or other alternative revenue options more than 25 percent of outfitters could cease to be in business next year. The ripple effect of that loss could be catastrophic in rural tourism based economies and for states with growing tourism markets. This bill will allow outfitters an opportunity to weather this storm while also serving to help improve and protect the places we already operate. It will allow us to continue as anchors of rural economies, creators of future advocates of natural resources, and employers of thousands. This is more than investment in us, it is an investment in our communities that will have long term returns.”

MERKLEY, COLLEAGUES SLAM TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR SHORTCHANGING AMERICANS’ DIRECT PAYMENTS AMID PANDEMIC

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) error means many families with children have not received the full amount owed to them

Monday, May 11, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), are slamming the Trump administration for a major error that has kept families with children across the country from receiving the full direct payment amount that they qualify for under Congress’ Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Some families did not receive the $500 payment per dependent that they qualified for, and are now being told by the IRS to wait until next year when they file their 2020 taxes to receive the additional assistance.

“These families–who were told by their federal government to rely on that assistance–will be expected to wait for the error to be corrected through their 2020 tax returns,” the senators wrote in their letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “This is simply unacceptable and we expect the IRS to send out missing payments immediately.”
“Across the country, families are awaiting financial assistance to meet their basic needs, including rent or mortgage payments, credit card bills, and food. The insensitivity of the IRS statement underlies this Administration’s clear misunderstanding of what this money will be used for, and the urgency by which accurate payments must get out the door,” the senators continued.

In order to better understand the full scope of the administration’s error—and prevent it from happening again—the senators have requested, in addition to immediately remedying the problem by getting checks to families who have been shortchanged, a response to their letter within five business days that includes the number of Americans who have received an inaccurate payment amount, and a detailed explanation of any Internal Revenue Service (IRS) quality control processes that were used for checks and direct deposits that have been sent.

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

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Dear Secretary Mnuchin:

We write to express our disappointment in the recent announcement that due to errors made by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the disbursement of the Economic Impact Payments, many American families with dependents did not receive the full amount owed to them. These families – who were told by their federal government to rely on that assistance – will be expected to wait for the error to be corrected through their 2020 tax returns.[1]

This is simply unacceptable and we expect the IRS to send out missing payments immediately.

Across the country, families are awaiting financial assistance to meet their basic needs, including rent or mortgage payments, credit card bills, and food. The insensitivity of the IRS statement underlies this Administration’s clear misunderstanding of what this money will be used for, and the urgency by which accurate payments must get out the door.

We also ask the IRS to answer the following questions within five business days so that we can learn more about the details surrounding this error.

How many Americans have received an inaccurate payment?

If that number is not readily available, what are the administrative costs of determining that number?

Does the IRS have an existing process of quality control for checks that have been sent?

We recognize that with the quick work expected from the IRS, additional administrative hurdles are inevitable. That said, we cannot expect Americans who are hurting to simply sit with that error for another year. We invite you to work with Congress to ensure the needs of the IRS are met, so that the American people get the assistance they are relying on in a timely manner.

Sincerely,

[1] From the IRS Website: “If you did not receive the full amount to which you believe you are entitled, you will be able to claim the additional amount when you file your 2020 tax return. This is particularly important for individuals who may be entitled to the additional $500 per qualifying child dependent payments.” https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-continue-to-be-sent-check-irsgov-for-answers-to-common-questions

MERKLEY, COLLEAGUES CONTINUE TO LEAD CHARGE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM INTERNET SHUT-OFFS DURING PANDEMIC

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Washington, DC – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced he is continuing his push to protect Americans’ access to utility services by introducing new legislation to put a moratorium on internet shut-offs during the pandemic, protecting access to an essential utility for receiving critical public health information, working from home, and participating in remote learning. Merkley was joined in introducing today’s legislation by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The new Continuing Online Networking, Negating Economic Conditions on Technology (CONNECT) At Home Act would institute a moratorium on service terminations by internet service and voice service providers during, and for 180 days after the conclusion of, the national state of emergency. The bill is a complement to Rep. Tlaib and Rep. Dingell’s Emergency Water is a Human Right Act which puts a moratorium on water, electricity and gas disconnections. Together in a COVID-19 package the legislation would ensure that Americans’ have access to the utilities that are even more essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Now—as millions of Americans hunker down, work from home, and engage in remote learning—would be the absolute worst time for Americans to lose a critical utility like internet service,” said Merkley. “Oregonians and people across America deserve to know that as we weather the social and economic consequences of this storm together, they will still have be able to go to work, go to school, buy groceries, and stay connected to loved ones—all of which many depend on the internet to do. Congress should include this protection in the next coronavirus response bill.”
"Millions of Americans are finding themselves unable to afford phone and internet service during the COVID-19 crisis. These services are a lifeline, enabling Americans to learn, work, access medical care, apply for assistance, and connect with loved ones while staying safely at home,” said Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel at Public Knowledge. “It is unconscionable to shut off services when Americans need them most. This is why we commend Sen. Merkley for introducing legislation that would ensure Americans continue to have access to these essential services."

As the unemployment rate skyrockets to nearly 15%, millions of Americans are finding themselves unable to pay their bills. This is especially true for low-income families, who are more likely to pay higher rates for basic utilities such as water, electricity, gas and internet. Losing internet access during a public health emergency makes it more difficult for families to receive urgent public health information and guidance, work from home and apply for future employment, collect benefits they need to put food on the table, and shuts children out of remote learning programs—deepening existing inequities and putting lives at risk.

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Senator Merkley has kept a steady drumbeat on the need to expand and protect broadband access, and protect vulnerable and low-income Americans from a host of other dangerous utility shut-offs.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

MERKLEY, WYDEN, COLLEAGUES PUSH TO EXPAND DELIVERY FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS DURING PANDEMIC

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with a bipartisan group of 26 senators, are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately work to ensure that Americans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—also known as food stamps—can receive home food delivery and curbside pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the letter to USDA, the senators wrote, “The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented rise in unemployment and a subsequent increase in demand for food assistance. At the same time, social distancing guidelines and stay at home orders have made it challenging—and unsafe—for many individuals to travel to purchase food. This is especially true for seniors and immunocompromised individuals who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, as well as individuals with disabilities and families who lack reliable transportation. We believe that no individual or family should be disadvantaged simply because they rely on SNAP benefits to access the food they need.”

USDA’s SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot makes it possible for SNAP participants to purchase grocery deliveries, but its availability remains limited to the states and retailers who have opted in to the program. In addition to expanding the Online Purchasing Pilot, the senators urged USDA to answer key questions and to maximize the alternative mechanisms that exist to facilitate delivery for SNAP participants.

As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the USDA, which runs the SNAP program, Senator Merkley continues to advocate for funding and strengthening the program. In March, Senator Merkley led a group of colleagues in calling on Amazon and Walmart to waive delivery fees and minimum order requirements for SNAP participants, to help vulnerable families limit their exposure to the virus by having their groceries delivered. In response to the letter, Walmart has delayed implementing the $30 minimum order requirement for the duration of the pandemic in states with an Online Purchasing Pilot. SNAP customers in states with Online Purchasing Pilots may shop on Amazon Fresh as soon as online SNAP transactions are enabled, without waiting for an invitation.

Last month, Senator Merkley led a group of 22 lawmakers, including Senator Wyden, in urging Senate leadership to include provisions to strengthen SNAP in upcoming coronavirus relief legislation.

Senators Merkley and Wyden were joined in sending the letter by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Angus King (I-ME), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Pat Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

A copy of the letter can be found here and is available below.

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Dear Secretary Perdue:

We write today to inquire about the actions USDA is taking to expand the delivery options available to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented rise in unemployment and a subsequent increase in demand for food assistance. At the same time, social distancing guidelines and stay at home orders have made it challenging – and unsafe – for many individuals to travel to purchase food. This is especially true for seniors and immunocompromised individuals who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, as well as individuals with disabilities and families who lack reliable transportation. We believe that no individual or family should be disadvantaged simply because they rely on SNAP benefits to access the food they need.

We appreciate USDA’s work to expedite the process through which states and retailers are able to participate in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. For participating states, this innovative program provides an opportunity to increase and streamline delivery options, and the Department’s efforts to rapidly expand the pilot is one important component of the work that is needed to expand SNAP recipients’ access to delivery services. We thank you for developing the simplified template for states to enroll as well as for your work to increase participation from additional retailers. In addition to these efforts to expand the Online Purchasing Pilot, we believe that it is also critical to further expand and maximize the alternative mechanisms that exist to facilitate delivery for SNAP participants.

During this public health and economic crisis, it is vital that USDA do everything it can to continue to further expand delivery and curbside pickup options for SNAP recipients. These tools not only benefit and protect SNAP participants, but they are also essential for the economic benefits that SNAP purchases provide to businesses, farmers and local communities.

We ask that you respond to the following questions by May 15, 2020.

1. Have you taken any steps to expand the ability of authorized SNAP retailers to access mobile/wireless Point of Sale (POS) devices for the purpose of delivery and curbside pickup?

a. How are you working with States and authorized retailers to provide them with information regarding the option to offer delivery services to SNAP participants if they have mobile/wireless POS devices?

b. Have you taken any steps to help retailers interested in offering delivery service to acquire mobile POS or identify partners with delivery capabilities?

c. How are you working with retailers exempt from the requirement to pay for their EBT equipment and service (farmers markets, direct marketing farmers, military commissaries, non-profit buying cooperatives) to expand delivery or access to mobile devices?

2. What steps have you taken to notify SNAP recipients of the options that currently exist for online ordering, delivery and pickup options? Are you able to compile a centralized list of the retailers that provide these options, or work with the states to compile them by state?

3. How is USDA working to authorize direct to consumer retailers (that have delivery capabilities) to accept SNAP benefits?

a. How long is it taking to authorize additional retailers who have become interested in authorization as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?

b. What barriers have you encountered to expediting this process as interest in authorization continues to grow?

4. Many SNAP participants, especially in rural areas, lack reliable access to internet services. Has USDA issued any guidance or best practices for retailers about how to protect SNAP participants from fraud while also offering alternatives to online ordering such as placing orders over the phone?

5. Many older adults do not have experience shopping for groceries online, and low-income older adults who order groceries for delivery or pick up do so less frequently than those of higher incomes. Has USDA has provided guidance to retailers on providing easy to follow instruction or support for SNAP participants who may not have previous experience shopping online?

6. How are you working to expand the technical support available to farmers, farmers markets and food hubs to offer delivery services to SNAP participants?

a. How many, and which, states currently utilize USDA funding to support farmers and farmers markets in accessing mobile/wireless POS devices and services? How many states include requirements for no-cost wireless equipment for exempt entities in their EBT state processing contracts?

b. What funding do you have available for FY20 to support mobile/wireless POS equipment and services for farmers markets and direct market farmers through the state agencies?

7. What funding sources and technical assistance are available to support mobile/wireless POS equipment through the States for non-exempt retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic?

8. What steps are you taking to simplify the process and identify cost-saving solutions to expedite the adoption of mobile/wireless POS processing capacity for all retailers?

9. As interest and demand continues to grow for SNAP delivery services, how is USDA engaging with other federal agencies around recommended health precaution and protection for retailers, consumers and delivery workers?

We thank you for your immediate attention to these questions.

Sincerely,

Wyden Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help New Parents Receive CARES Act Stimulus Checks This Year

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today joined with a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce legislation that would ensure more new parents quickly receive the additional $500 per child in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus payments without having to wait until 2021.

“Immediate economic help in the middle of this public health crisis is a must for new parents and the newborns depending on them from Day One to provide food, diapers, shelter and more,” said Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. “The bipartisan support for this legislation fixing a family-unfriendly tax provision spotlights both this proposal’s common sense and its urgency.”

Currently, parents of children born on or after January 1, 2020, must wait until they file taxes in calendar year 2021 to receive those payments due to eligibility for the additional $500 per child being based on existing Child Tax Credit rules. The bill would waive those rules and require the Internal Revenue Service to develop a system to provide payments to families with newborns once a Social Security number is assigned to the child.

Joining Wyden in introducing the Newborn CARES Act are U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and James Lankford (R-OK).

Article Topic Follows: Coronavirus

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