October 02, 2020

Congressman Correa Condemns Congressional Inaction As He Returns Home Without COVID-19 Stimulus Package

Rep. Correa Urged His Senate Colleagues To Take Action & Pass Latest COVID-19 Aid Package To Help Orange County Working Families

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Lou Correa released the following statement as he left Washington without the passage of a new COVID-19 stimulus package for his constituents:

“Once again, I am leaving Washington without a fully authorized COVID-19 package for my constituents. While the House continues to work with our colleagues to find productive ways of helping our constituents survive this devastating pandemic, the Senate has repeatedly refused to participate and take up this legislation.

“Working-class families in our community have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. These families need help right now. With thousands out of work and winter on the horizon, it is imperative that the Senate immediately take up this bill and help the millions of Americans in need of federal help. My constituents need help and cannot wait any longer.”

Background: Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic in March of 2020, Congressman Correa and his House Democratic colleagues have voted and passed five coronavirus aid packages to help the American people. 

The Heroes Act 2—the latest COVID-19 package passed on Thursday, October 1—updated H.R. 6800 - Heroes Act, which was passed by the House 141 days ago. This $2.2 trillion package expands the Paycheck Protection Program, invests $225 billion in education and childcare, provides a second round of economic impact payments of $1,200 per taxpayer and $500 per dependent, restores $600 unemployment payments through January 2021, and strengthens food security by increasing SNAP benefits and food assistance programs.   

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Congressman Correa has voted for five COVID-19 Relief Packages.

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201): This bill responds to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits, and increasing Medicaid funding. Congressman Correa voted for it on March 14, 2020, and it was signed into law. 

• CARES Act (H.R. 748): This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. It prioritized keeping Americans paid and employed, supported America’s health care system, provided Americans $1200, provided $600 in weekly unemployment benefits, and established the Paycheck Protection Program small business loans. Congressman Correa voted for its passage on March 27, 2020, and it was signed into law.  

• Heroes Act (H.R. 6800): This bill provides emergency supplemental appropriations to federal agencies; provides payments and other assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; provides additional direct payments of up to $1,200 per individual; expands paid sick days, family and medical leave, unemployment compensation, nutrition and food assistance programs, housing assistance, and payments to farmers. Congressman Correa voted for this bill on May 15, 2020, and it is still awaiting consideration in the Senate. 

• Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010):This bill modifies provisions related to the forgiveness of loans made to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program implemented in response to COVID-19. It extends the period in which an employer may rehire or eliminate a reduction in employment, salary, or wages that would otherwise reduce the forgivable amount of a paycheck protection loan. The bill also eliminates a provision that makes a paycheck protection loan recipient who has such indebtedness forgiven ineligible to defer payroll tax payments. Congressman Correa voted for this bill on May 28, 2020, and it was signed into law. 

• Heroes Act 2 (H.R. 925): This bill updates the Heroes Act to meet the needs of the American people and provides emergency supplemental appropriations to federal agencies; provides payments and other assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; provides additional direct payments of up to $1,200 per individual; expands paid sick days, family and medical leave, unemployment compensation, nutrition and food assistance programs, housing assistance, and payments to farmers. Congressman Correa voted for this bill on October 2, 2020, and it is still awaiting consideration in the Senate. 

Additionally, Congressman Correa has worked to help his constituents and advocate for additional federal funding. Since March, the Congressman has:

Invested in our national healthcare system by:

• Expanding the Healthcare Workforce: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Correa led my colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi asking that a provision included in the Heroes Act to provide $1 billion in grants for medical schools to serve diverse and underserved communities be retained in the next relief deal reached with the Senate. The devastating toll that COVID-19 has had and continues to have on people of color could have been dramatically mitigated if there were more physicians of color.     

• Ensuring Internet Access for All: Congressman Correa joined a bipartisan delegation to introduce the Universal Broadband Act (H.R. 6723) which will ensure Americans have access to reliable internet services-- for distance learning, teleworking, or services like telehealth. 

• Helping Seniors: Congressman Correa led my peers of the Congressional OC Delegation in sending a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in support of AltaMed’s PACE program’s application for a health center in Orange County. The PACE Program provides all-inclusive care to seniors. Our concerns were heard and the waiver was granted.

Supported domestic manufacturing and small businesses by:

• Supporting US Manufacturing: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Correa has introduced legislation that aims to support and encourage domestic manufacturing. Furthermore, Congressman Correa has cosponsored and consigned items that also encourage the need for domestic manufacturing especially during a state of national emergency. 

• Supporting Small Businesses: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Correa has cosponsored several bills and cosigned a number of letters to ensure that our small businesses are protected during the pandemic. 

Invested in public education by:

• Helping Minority Students: Congressman Correa joined my colleagues in sending a letter to House and Senate Leadership requesting that funding from the next relief package be distributed to higher education institutions based on the total number of enrolled students-- not just full-time students. Basing student enrollment numbers on full-time enrollment disproportionately affects minority-serving institutions and community colleges.  

• Making sure students are fed: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Correa has worked to ensure that students are being fed during these trying times and have signed onto letters that urge that children should receive school meals during the pandemic. 

Supported Veterans Facing COVID-19:

• Supporting our Veterans: Due to the influx of COVID-19 related claims and continued issues with staffing levels, Congressman Correa led a letter to the Orange County supervisors expressing concerns about these delays and urged the BOS and VSO for their plans to reduce wait times for veterans’ benefits claims at the OC VSO.

Ensured Immigrants are included in the COVID-19 recovery by: 

• Fighting for Immigrants During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Correa introduced the Leave No Taxpayer Behind Act to allow undocumented taxpayers to receive federal cash assistance under the  CAREs Act. Together with Senator Harris and Rep. Chu, Congressman Correa also introduced the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act, which would provide immigrants with access to healthcare and other resources during the pandemic. 

• Fighting for Dreamers: As a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressman Correa has stood by immigrant families by continuing to fight for DREAMers and advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Congressman Correa supported the Dream Act to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and prohibit DHS from using their information for purposes of removal. Furthermore, Congressman Correa has joined a bipartisan coalition demanding a vote on legislation to protect dreamers.

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