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March 13 - March 20, 2020
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This week, the Senate passed and the President signed the second major COVID-19 relief legislation, which included paid and medical leave for COVID-19 related needs, tax credits for employers, and expanded unemployment insurance. Read more here. Now my colleagues and I are urgently working on additional measures to provide economic relief for working Americans and families, protect health workers and patients, boost small businesses, and help secure our economy.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I feel obligated to reiterate that all seniors and those in high-risk groups must take every precaution during this time. We are the ones most likely to suffer the most severe complications from COVID-19. However, younger people are not immune! It is incumbent on our younger people to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect our communities.
Small businesses are such a vital part of our economy. Locally-owned restaurants, hair salons/barber shops, stores, dry-cleaners, you name it—small businesses across Utah are suffering during this crisis. I encourage everyone who is able to pitch in and support our local small businesses during this difficult time by shopping online, ordering takeout/delivery, or purchasing gift cards for a later use.
I know folks are struggling, and we're going to get help to the people who need it. We’re not going to leave Washington until we get the job done. And we will get the job done!
All the best,
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We have launched a new webpage designed to keep Utahns informed during the coronavirus pandemic. The webpage, which serves as a reference guide for information from federal agencies, as well as state and local authorities, includes guidance for seniors and at-risk individuals, veterans, families and small businesses. This page will be updated regularly with information about the Senator Romney’s efforts and the latest steps taken by the Administration to respond to the pandemic.
This week, the Senate passed the second major COVID-19 relief legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which included paid and medical leave for COVID-19 related needs, tax credits for employers, and expanded unemployment insurance. The President signed this into law on Wednesday. The Senate is now discussing a third package of additional relief measures.
As these discussions take place, Senator Romney is advocating for the following proposals:
- Cash payments for Americans to help ensure families and workers can meet their short-term obligations and increase spending in the economy.
- Strengthening our Unemployment Insurance system by increasing the pay rate, extending the length of benefits, and expanding eligibility to include furloughed workers, the self-employed, and independent contractors.
- Providing bridge loans or grants from the Small Business Administration to qualified small businesses, helping them cover payroll and rent without forcing them into future bankruptcies.
- Easing the burden on students by allowing unexpected travel, housing, storage costs to factor in to Pell Grant award amounts.
- Deferring federal student loan payments for a period of time to ease the burden of those who are just graduating now.
- Requiring insurance plans to temporarily cover telehealth for coronavirus-related services. This would help protect the health workforce and connect patients with providers.
More information on those proposals can be found here.
Full story by Dennis Romboy here.
Senator Romney also teamed up with colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Coronavirus Worker Relief Act, which would expand access to the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program by extending how many weeks one receives benefits and broadening the eligibility to include furloughed workers, the self-employed, and independent contractors.
Full story by Thomas Burr here.
Senator Romney spoke more about the federal coronavirus response efforts on KSL Radio's Utah Morning News, which you can hear below:
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