Key Updates on Responding to the Coronavirus

This week, another five million Americans lost their job and filed for unemployment because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, bringing the total number of unemployment applications to an astounding 22 million in the last four weeks alone—not to mention nearly 900,000 Ohioans. Behind those numbers are real people: our neighbors, coworkers, friends, loved ones, maybe even you.

Please know that I hear you, I see you, and I am working hard for you. Congress took an important step passing the CARES Act to provide direct assistance to workers, families, and small businesses. However, we know we have a lot of work to do.

As the Representative of Ohio's Third Congressional District, let me update you on my latest work to put the lives and livelihood of hardworking Central Ohioans and our thriving small business community's interest first. Unfortunately, I have heard from countless independent contractors and 1099 workers that there is uncertainty and confusion in the marketplace preventing otherwise eligible Central Ohioans working at places like hair and nail salons, barber shops, and gig to gig from qualifying for forgivable small business loans. In response, I sent a congressional letter this week to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza urging them to ensure that ALL small businesses can access SBA's Paycheck Protection Program. I also joined with U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III (MA-04) to urge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell "ban the box" on coronavirus small business loans. In addition, I launched a three-part series, ‘Beatty Book Time' focused on filling a critical gap in educational resources and development for young children living in family centers and transitional housing or experiencing homelessness. Visit my official YouTube page to watch the first Beatty Book Time video.

You will also be interested to know that this week, I am:

• Cosponsoring the Student Debt Emergency Relief Act, H.R. 6363, a bill that would protect student loan borrowers during public health emergencies and forgives $30,000 of student loan debt.

• Cosponsoring the Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act, H.R. 6474, to expand the Healthcare Connect Fund Program (HCFP) that funds broadband internet services at public and nonprofit hospitals.

• Cosponsoring the Protect Our Post Offices Act, H.R. 6425, a measure that would provide $25 billion in funds to support the United States Postal Service and workers during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

• Signing on to a letter to Treasury and SBA regarding data collection on minority lending in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

• Joining a letter to House Congressional Leadership on including desperately needed funds for children's hospitals, including Nationwide Children's, in the next COVID-19 rescue package.

• Helping send a letter calling for greater financial support and assistance for museums and other nonprofits impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

To read past weekly COVID-19 updates, please click here, here, and here.

During these difficult times, please do not hesitate to contact my District or D.C. Offices if you have questions, concerns, or require assistance. The road ahead will certainly be challenging, but we will get through this together. We are #InThisTogetherOhio.