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MANCHIN CALLS ON TREASURY TO REVISE GUIDANCE FOR GOVERNORS TO DISTRIBUTE COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) led 46 Senators in calling on U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Steven Mnuchin to revise the Treasury guidance for how Governors can distribute Coronavirus Relief Funds to their states. West Virginia received $1.25 billion provided by the Coronavirus Relief Fund established in the CARES Act; however, while states can use these funds to respond directly to the COVID-19 pandemic, Treasury has prohibited the use of these funds to make up for reduced revenues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senators said in part, “We all have a common interest in preserving as much of our economy as possible so that we are well positioned for a robust recovery. A critical component of our economy is our state, Tribal, and local governments as they not only serve as customers for our local businesses, but also provide the essential services, such as effective law enforcement, public infrastructure, a strong education system, and other necessary conditions that provide the business certainty that make our country attractive to businesses and investors throughout the world. We should preserve and maintain this critical comparative advantage. To avoid distracting states, Tribes, and localities from meeting the crisis at hand, the Treasury Department should publicly confirm that states, Tribes and localities may use these funds to maintain their essential services as the CARES Act clearly permits.”
MANCHIN RAISES CONCERNS OVER TRANSFER OF OUT-OF-STATE INMATES WITH AG BARR DIRECTLY
Charleston, WV – During a call today with U.S. Attorney General (AG) William Barr, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) raised concerns about the transfer of new out-of-state inmates to the FCC Hazelton and FCI Gilmer facilities in West Virginia. Senator Manchin also sent a letter to AG Barr on Saturday urging him to immediately halt these transfers.
“This morning I had a productive call with Attorney General Bill Barr to discuss the situation at FCC Hazelton and FCI Gilmer, and my opposition to the transfer of new out-of-state inmates to West Virginia. He understands the concerns we have raised and is sympathetic to the situation. Despite a court order requiring increased social distancing at Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities in the D.C. region, I am hopeful the Department of Justice and BOP will take into account that these West Virginia facilities have no COVID-19 cases and that West Virginians have worked very hard to adhere to guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The safety of our brave correctional officers and their families, citizens and inmates during this healthcare crisis must be our top priority,” Senator Manchin said.
MANCHIN: FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MAIN STREET TRADE ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD BE IN NEXT COVID PACKAGE
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) led 18 bipartisan Senators in calling on Senate leadership to support local trade and professional associations who help sustain Main Street in towns across West Virginia by including funding for these associations in the next COVID-19 emergency funding package.
The Senators said in part, “We appreciate your leadership in providing unprecedented resources for American small businesses through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136). Unfortunately, local trade and professional associations organized under § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code are ineligible for assistance through the lending programs included in this legislation. Given the crucial role these organizations play in sustaining the Main Street economy, and the severe financial difficulties they are confronting, we strongly support their inclusion in the next round of federal aid for coronavirus relief.”
MANCHIN: WEST VIRGINIA HOSPITALS STILL NEED MORE EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUNDING
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on West Virginia receiving an additional $34 million for healthcare providers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) through the CARES Act. Senator Manchin successfully fought for $25 billion more in hospital funding in the CARES Act than in the original proposal, and another $75 billion in the additional coronavirus relief package that passed last week.
“I’m glad to see additional support delivered to West Virginia healthcare providers. But yet again West Virginia received only 0.37% percent of the total allotment. That’s even less than we got last time around. This is why I have been advocating for specific rural set asides and a formula that accounts for Medicaid patients. West Virginians have buckled down and our COVID-19 rates are lower than expected but make no mistake, our hospitals are hurting and this does not do enough. The next round of funding must include my formula to ensure rural hospitals are not left behind,” Senator Manchin said.
MANCHIN, CAPITO URGE VA TO COVER MOBILE TESTING SITES
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie requesting that the department cover coronavirus (COVID-19) mobile testing sites in the same manner as urgent and emergency care. Currently, mobile testing sites are not covered under the VA’s urgent and emergency care policies, making it difficult for veterans across the country—especially in rural areas where veterans are faced with the challenge of traveling to the nearest VA facilities or paying for the tests out-of-pocket.
“As you know, the VA MISSION Act expanded urgent and emergency care services, but it did not factor in unforeseen circumstances such as a global pandemic. It is critical that the VA covers COVID-19 mobile testing sites in the same manner as urgent and emergency care, so veterans can access these testing sites, without being stuck with the bill. This is especially important for rural veterans who currently have to choose between traveling to their nearest VA facility or paying for a test out of pocket, if they go to a site within their community,” the senators wrote.
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