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Confronting the Coronavirus Head-On: Latest Developments

May 9, 2020
Announcements

With healthcare providers, the manufacturing, distribution and construction sectors reporting back to work this week, and consumer, retail and related services as well as cosmetologists, bars and restaurants beginning to open up next week, we are starting to see the first signs of normalcy. However, it goes without saying that this will certainly be a ‘new normal.'

As Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has repeatedly stressed, we are all strongly encouraged to wear masks in public, maintain six feet of social distance, and practice good hygiene like washing our hands often and covering our coughs and sneezes. These common-sense steps not only keep us healthy, but more importantly our family, friends and neighbors—even strangers. We are #InThisTogetherOhio.

So, as we continue working together to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19), let me update you on Team Beatty's and my work to address the virus in a smart, strategic, and serious manner.

After hearing from numerous small business owners, including minority-owned, independent contractors, sole proprietors, those working from gig to gig, and the self-employed about the need for more targeted federal assistance, I am introducing the Making Opportunities a Reality for Entrepreneurs (MORE) PPP Act. If enacted into law, this bill would be welcome news for countless barbers, beauticians, nail technicians, family restaurants, and so many truly small businesses. In addition, we are in the process of writing legislation to ensure that everyone has a fair chance at accessing these funds by ‘banning the box' that prohibits individuals with prior criminal convictions from obtaining PPP dollars. I believe if a person has paid their debt to society and changed their life, they should not necessarily be punished for the rest of their life. Moreover, we are working on another bill to expand the PPP further, so be on the lookout for future updates.

This week, I also cosponsored and signed on to numerous COVID-19 related bills and congressional correspondences. Highlights include:

  • Cosponsored the Opportunities for Heroes Act, H.R. 6699, to provide essential workers with $25,000 credit for student loans or future education.
  • Letters to Congressional Leadership on including monthly, direct payments to individuals; additional funding for community health centers, food banks, public housing, affordable high-speed internet, and youth homelessness; and expanding the child tax credit and charitable giving deduction in the next COVID-19 response bill.
  • Cosponsored the State Operations Stabilization (SOS) Act, H.R. 6508, allowing States to use their CARES Act relief funds to make up for revenue.
  • Cosponsored H.Res. 951, supporting National Nurses Week to recognize all the heroes working on the frontlines.
  • Letter to Treasury and IRS to improve outreach to non-filers around economic impact payments.

For more information on my ongoing work to confront COVID-19, and to view prior weekly updates, please visit my website.

Yesterday, the April Jobs Report revealed that a staggering 20.5 million jobs have been lost and some three million more workers filed for unemployment. I believe it is imperative that Congress act with a sense of urgency because hardworking Americans and their families—including many of you—are hurting and struggling to simply keep their heads above water. That being said, I am ready to return to the nation's capital ASAP to craft and pass the next COVID-19 response bill and to continue to deliver real results for ALL my constituents.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact my office should you require assistance or to share your thoughts and concerns.

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Issues:Affordable HousingBudgetHealthcareJobs and the EconomyLocal IssuesScience and TechnologySmall BusinessWorking Families and Children