Rep. Deutch Statement on House Passage of CARES Act

Statement

After unanimous passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) issued this statement:

"Our primary goals must be to keep our communities healthy and protect the must vulnerable among us from this virus. However, the economic impact of achieving these goals will be felt deeply by American families and businesses. That's why, as Americans follow federal, state, and local guidance and practice social distancing and good hygiene, Congress needed to do its part to offer economic support across society.

"This stimulus package includes major support for workers facing reduced hours or unemployment because of the pandemic, including increasing and extending unemployment insurance benefits. We secured crucial infusions of money for small businesses, creating the Paycheck Protection Program to offer cash-flow assistance for employers who keep their employees on their payroll. We are sending billions of dollars to our hospitals, community health centers, and health care providers as they care for the surge of patients from the virus. We are protecting homeowners and renters from foreclosures and evictions during this crisis. And while we allocate significant funds to support major companies, we include stringent oversight requirements to ensure taxpayer funds benefit their impacted employees rather than their executives.

"I'm particularly proud of language that Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and I worked together to include that ensures federal unemployment benefits are available to gig workers, independent contractors, and sole proprietors who make up a growing sector of the American workforce.

"Our work is not complete. This is an historic economic stimulus package, but it must be accompanied by a public health strategy backed by science and data. We need our state and local leaders to implement the bold policies necessary to effectively flatten the curve and more quickly get us to recovery. We all have a role to play in curbing transmission rates and keeping our friends and family safe."

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