Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after voting for the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in a devastating 840,000 confirmed cases, 46,000 deaths, and more than 26 million initial unemployment claims in the past five weeks alone.

“I am pleased to have voted for another funding package that will provide the emergency resources that are desperately needed to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people. Congress must move quickly to provide relief to our state and local governments that provide police, fire and important government services and whose revenues are dwindling due to the pandemic,” said Rep. Frankel.

The $484 billion aid package includes:

• $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), forgivable loans to help small businesses to pay their employees during the pandemic.
• $60 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, to provide relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.
• $75 billion for hospitals, to provide resources to the frontlines, including Personal Protective Equipment.
• $25 billion for virus testing, which is the key to reopening the economy and resuming our lives.

The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act passed the House by a vote of 388 to 5 and it is expected the President will sign it into law by the end of the week.

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